LOOK: Otso Diretso supporters raise PH flags to oppose Chinese vessel in Batangas

'NOT FOR SALE.' Environment activists and fishermen raise Philippine flags along the beach of Olo-Olo, Lobo, Batangas to protest the sighting of the Chinese vessel near the area on March 5, 2019. All photos by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

BATANGAS, Philippines – Environmental activists and fishermen on Friday, April 5, raised Philippine flags along the beach of Olo-Olo in Lobo, Batangas, to protest the presence of a Chinese-manned vessel near the area.  

Locals have sighted the presence of the MV Emerald, a Chinese-manned dredger, that had been anchored for several days off the coast of Lobo, Batangas.

The M/V Emerald left the Olo-olo coast at around 7:30 am. (READ: Batangas town mayor drives away foreign vessel despite DENR permits) 

“'Yung mga pumapasok dito, sabi ng mga taga-dito, nasisira po 'yung lugar nila (According to residents here, the ones coming in are destroying their area)," said Lito Austria, a local fisherman from Barangay Biga. 

“Nakakalungkot lang na ang dali lang para sa administrasyon na labagin ang karapatan ng mga nasa minorya, pero hirap kalabanin ang Tsina. Kanino ba nagsisilbi ang gobyerno?”  said Pipay Sevilla of Millennials PH.

(It's sad that it's so easy for the administration to violate the rights of those in the minority, yet they have a hard time standing up to China. Who does the government serve?)

Environment activists and fishermen raise Philippine flags along the beach of Opo-Opo Lobo Batangas to protest the sighting of the Chinese vessel near the area on March 5, 2019. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

The group that organized this protest is campaigning for the Otso Diretso senatorial candidates – Gary Alejano, Bam Aquino, Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Romy Macalintal, Mar Roxas, and Erin Tañada.  – Rappler.com