Philippine fisherfolk challenge Sara Duterte over China-linked remittances

Fisherfolk leaders from Zambales and Bataan, organized under the Atin Ito coalition, have challenged Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte to address reported multimillion-peso transactions linked to China.

During a press conference in Subic Bay Freeport, Leonardo “Ka Nards” Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, questioned whether the Vice President’s silence regarding Chinese maritime aggression in the West Philippine Sea is connected to these funds. The allegations stem from testimony during Duterte’s impeachment proceedings, where the Anti-Money Laundering Council reported that Cale88 Foods Corp.—a company associated with Duterte’s husband, Manases Carpio—received approximately ₱319.33 million in remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Fishermen expressed growing concerns that these financial ties may influence the government's response to ongoing harassment in traditional fishing grounds, such as Bajo de Masinloc. Leaders cited frequent intimidation, water cannon attacks, and the theft of catches by Chinese vessels as primary grievances.