Posted on April 14, 2025
THE militant group ACT Teachers on Sunday backed the call of a fishers’ group for a congressional investigation into the Chinese-led dredging operations in Cagayan.
In a statement, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and former lawmaker Antonio Tinio expressed support for the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas’ (Pamalakaya) call for an independent and comprehensive investigation of the dredging operations despite the halt in its operation in 2023.
“We fully support the demand of Pamalakaya for an immediate investigation into the environmental destruction and economic displacement caused by Chinese dredging operations in Cagayan,” Castro said. “This is not a closed case simply because the operations have ended. The fisherfolk continue to suffer the consequences, and justice demands that those responsible—foreign companies and complicit government officials—be held accountable.”
“Hindi sapat ang sinasabi ng Palasyo na tumigil na ang operasyon noong 2023. Dapat alamin kung gaano kalawak ang pinsala sa kalikasan at kabuhayan ng mamamalakaya, at dapat managot ang mga kumpanyang Tsino na sangkot,” she added.
Earlier, Pamalakaya assailed the lack of government action and transparency regarding the dredging operations, which they say were falsely labeled as “desiltation projects” but in reality facilitated the large-scale extraction of sand and minerals, thus damaging marine ecosystems and reducing fish catch for local fishermen.
For his part, Tinio stressed that this issue is emblematic of the broader problem of “foreign plunder” and environmental destruction under neoliberal economic policies.
“This is a clear example of how foreign corporations are allowed to exploit our natural resources at the expense of Filipino livelihoods and sovereignty,” Tinio said. “There must be full disclosure of all agreements made between the national government and these Chinese firms. We call on Congress to summon former and current officials who facilitated these projects.”
“Ang tunay na hustisya ay hindi lang pagtigil ng operasyong mapanira, kundi ang pagpaparusa sa mga responsable at pagpapanumbalik sa kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda,” he added.
Castro and Tinio also called on the relevant House Committees to initiate public hearings in affected communities and ensure the participation of fishermen, environmental scientists, and concerned civil society groups.
“The people of Cagayan deserve answers. They deserve justice. This is a test for Congress—will it act in defense of poor fisherfolk, or will it serve foreign interests?” Castro said.
They reiterated the Makabayan bloc’s commitment to defending Philippine sovereignty, protecting the environment, and upholding the rights of marginalized sectors such as fisherfolk and rural communities.
