“Were millions paid for your silence?” Fisherfolk challenge VP Sara Duterte to defend them vs. China

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — “Were millions paid for your silence?”

A fisherfolk leader challenged Vice President Sara Duterte to explain her silence on China’s alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen, questioning whether reported China-linked financial transactions involving a company associated with her husband had influenced her response to tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Leonardo “Ka Nards” Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, raised the question during a press conference held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Camayan Beach Resort in Subic Bay Freeport, Zambales and was organized by the Atin Ito coalition, where fisherfolk leaders from Zambales and Bataan called on Duterte to publicly defend Filipino fishermen and condemn China’s actions in Philippine waters. 

“Madam VP Sara, kaya po ba tahimik kayo sa gitna ng karahasan at kalupitan na sinasapit namin sa West Philippine Sea sa kamay ng Tsina ay dahil nabayaran ng milyones ang inyong katahimikan?” Cuaresma said.

The appeal comes as Filipino fishermen continue to report intimidation, dangerous encounters with Chinese vessels and restrictions on access to traditional fishing grounds, particularly around Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.

Cuaresma said fishermen bear the immediate consequences of the maritime tensions, losing income when they are driven away from fishing grounds.

“Habang kami ay hinaharass, tinatakot, pinagnanakawan ng huling isda at itinataboy ng mga barko ng China sa sarili naming karagatan, ang Bise Presidente at ang kanyang asawa ay diumano tumanggap ng milyon-milyon mula sa China,” he said.

“Hindi ba isa itong katrayduran? Hindi ba dapat ipaliwanag ito sa taumbayan?” he added.

The questions refer to approximately ₱319 million in China- and Hong Kong-linked remittances received by CALE88 Foods Corp., a company associated with Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. During the Vice President’s impeachment trial, the Anti-Money Laundering Council confirmed the reported transactions.

The transactions, however, do not by themselves establish that Duterte or Carpio received the money personally or that the funds influenced the Vice President’s position on China. The allegations of Cuaresma require clarification, and the claims of a connection between the transactions and her silence remain unproven.

For fishermen, Cuaresma said, the issue goes beyond political controversy and concerns their livelihood, safety and the country’s maritime rights.

He said some fishermen who once earned around ₱5,000 a week now make only ₱200 to ₱300 amid difficulties accessing their traditional fishing grounds, according to concerns also raised by Zambales Rep. Doris Maniquiz.

“Bawat bangkang itinataboy, bawat mangingisdang tinatakot, at bawat araw na hindi kami makapangisda ay kabuhayang nawawala at pamilyang nagugutom,” Cuaresma said.

He called on Duterte and Carpio to explain the nature, source and purpose of the reported transactions and urged the Vice President to publicly condemn China’s alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen.

“For us, the impeachment trial of the Vice President is not only about unexplained and ill-gotten wealth. This is about our livelihood, our safety, and our country’s sovereignty. We face the risks at sea, and we deserve leaders who will stand up for us,” Cuaresma said.

“Ang West Philippine Sea ay atin. Hindi dapat ang milyones ng Tsina ang manaig sa karapatan ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino na mangisda nang malaya at ligtas sa sarili nilang karagatan,” he added.

The fisherfolk leaders said they wanted Duterte to make her position clear on China’s maritime actions and affirm that protecting Philippine sovereignty and Filipino fishing communities should take priority.

Recent timeline of reported Chinese incursions and confrontations

September 28, 2026 — Kota Island, Palawan: Philippine Coast Guard personnel drove away Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel 9622 and 24 small boats after they were reportedly fishing near the island.

October 1–2 — Batanes: The Philippine Coast Guard challenged a Chinese research vessel suspected of conducting unauthorized marine scientific research. A Chinese Coast Guard vessel arrived to support it before the Chinese vessels departed.

October 3 — Scarborough Shoal: A Chinese J-16 fighter intercepted and maneuvered close to a Philippine Air Force C-208 aircraft, prompting a protest from the Philippine military.

October 8 — Ayungin Shoal: The Philippine Coast Guard reported that Chinese Coast Guard vessels obstructed and delayed the medical evacuation of an ailing Philippine Navy personnel from the BRP Sierra Madre for nearly 10 hours.

October 9 — Kota Island, Palawan: Philippine forces drove away the same Chinese maritime militia vessel and 22 accompanying boats after they were reportedly engaged in unauthorized fishing and waste dumping. The Philippine task force said the mothership encircled Filipino patrol boats and claimed the area as Chinese territory.