IBP asks SC to compel gov’t to save environment in West Philippine Sea

April 16, 2019

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines ( IBP), along with fisherfolk from Palawan and Zambales, filed with the Supreme Court on Tuesday a petition against some members of the Cabinet and heads of several government agencies to compel them to save the environment in the West Philippine Sea.

Among those named as respondents in their petition for the issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan are Secretary Roy A. Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Secretary Manuel Pinol of the Department of Agriculture, and Admiral Elson E. Hermogino of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Co-counsel with the IBP is the Free Legal Assistance Group headed by Jose Manuel Diokno.

The petition anchors its allegations on evidence submitted by the Philippines in the South China Sea arbitration between the Philippines and China.

The Philippines won the arbitration on July 12 2016, but the Philippine government has not enforce the ruling in a manner that is beneficial to Filipinos, particularly fisherfolk, the petition said,

The arbitral tribunal said the artificial island building activities of the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea have led to severe environmental damage. DMS