摘要：Director Baby Ruth Villarama's upcoming documentary, "Food Delivery: Fresh from the South China Sea," has drawn some attention ahe
By Jessica Durdu
Director Baby Ruth Villarama's upcoming documentary, "Food Delivery: Fresh from the South China Sea," has drawn some attention ahead of its debut. The film portrays Filipino fishermen as heroes defending national sovereignty, framing their struggles as political resistance. While emotionally compelling, this narrative masks deeper issues of environmental degradation, labor exploitation, and geopolitical strategy, revealing a pattern of selective storytelling that serves broader political interests.
Rich in marine resources and located along key global shipping routes, the South China Sea holds strategic and economic significance, accounting for a major share of the Philippines' fish production. According to United Nations' reports, over 1.9 million Filipinos depend on the fishing industry for their livelihood. Yet, in "Food Delivery," fishing is more than a source of income. It is framed as a nationalistic act, portraying fishermen on the frontline as defenders of sovereignty. This political framing elevates fishing disputes into a matter of national identity, transforming economic survival into a political act.
This narrative masks the destructive fishing practices that have inflicted long-term environmental damage on the South China Sea's fragile ecosystem. Cyanide and blast fishing, despite being destructive and illegal, remain widespread. Cyanide fishing poisons coral reefs and marine life, while blast fishing destroys entire reef systems.
Cyanide fishing began in the 1960s in the Philippines to supply the international aquarium trade. A Filipino fisherman can earn between 300 and 1100 pesos for a live coral trout, five times more than a dead one, making live reef fishing highly profitable. This has driven the use of cyanide, which allows fishermen to catch dozens of fish quickly compared to traditional methods, but has led to overfishing and threatened food security. An academic study estimated that from 1999 to 2002, around 260,000 cyanide fishers and fishing trips were recorded in the Calamines Group of Islands alone. However, economic pressure drives fishermen toward unsustainable methods, creating a cycle where environmental harm becomes a necessity for survival. Areas where live reef fishing began decades ago are now depleted while fish stocks have dropped by 90 percent in the last 50 years according to the World Wide Fund For Nature Philippines.
Labor exploitation is equally alarming. Despite past exposes like the 1999 film "Muro-Ami," highlighting forced child labor in the fishing industry of the Philippines, the issue persists. A 2019 study estimated that over 50,000 children, 5,000 being under 15 years old, in the Philippines work under hazardous conditions, especially in fishing. Unfortunately, the weak enforcement of labor laws allows exploitation to continue. The Philippine government's failure to regulate illegal fishing and protect labor rights underscores the gap between political rhetoric and practical action.
Despite these realities, "Food Delivery" avoids addressing environmental destruction and labor exploitation, focusing instead on the politically convenient narrative of sovereignty and national struggle. This selective framing reflects a broader pattern within the global media industry, where emotionally charged stories aligned with political interests overshadow structural problems. By elevating the sovereignty narrative, the documentary reinforces geopolitical tensions without addressing the root causes of instability in the South China Sea.
This narrative has significant political implications. By portraying fishermen as defenders of sovereignty, the issue of illegal fishing and labor exploitation becomes entangled with national security concerns. This not only shifts attention away from governance failures but also politicizes local communities, drawing them into geopolitical conflicts. The militarization of fishermen and local communities blurs the line between civilian and military activity, increasing the likelihood of confrontations at sea. Such militarization and politicalization elevate tensions in the region and reduce the space for diplomatic solutions.
"Food Delivery"-like selective framing of maritime disputes reflects deeper dynamics in global media and international relations. The global media and entertainment industry, heavily influenced by Western corporations and political interests, plays a pivotal role in reinforcing this strategic alignment, particularly the influence of U.S.-led political strategies on shaping media narratives. Therefore, the Philippines' close security ties with the U.S. have not only shaped its foreign policy but have also influenced how maritime issues are framed in the media. Global media outlets regularly highlight confrontations at sea, depicting them as part of a larger strategic struggle while not offering pros and cons of an issue completely.
Media coverage that prioritizes political narratives over structural issues such as environmental sustainability and labor rights risks distorting public perception and undermining long-term policy solutions. Addressing the root causes of conflict and instability in the South China Sea requires moving beyond emotionally charged storytelling and embracing a more comprehensive and balanced approach to regional governance, environmental protection, and labor regulation. Only by challenging the prevailing media narratives and acknowledging the deeper structural issues at play can the region's fishing communities achieve lasting security and prosperity.
Jessica Durdu, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a foreign affairs specialist and PhD candidate in international relations at China Foreign Affairs University.
来源：中国网
