‘The bullying can’t go on’: the film-maker following Filipino fishers under siege by China

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Geoffrey MacnabDecember 10, 2025 at 03:47 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama's documentary, *Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea*, follows Filipino fishers navigating the challenges of life and work in the West Philippine Sea, part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. The film highlights the difficulties they face, including harassment from the Chinese coast guard, after President Duterte failed to uphold his promise to protect the territory. Villarama spent 60 days filming the fishers and soldiers who supply local islands. The film was pulled from a Philippine film festival and faced a request from the Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland to be withdrawn from the Doc Edge festival in New Zealand. Chinese officials claim the film contains disinformation and serves as a political tool for the Philippines.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Scarborough Shoal ×270% Baby Ruth Villarama ×280% China ×380% Rodrigo Duterte ×4100% Philippines ×4100%

Keywords

south china sea 100% filipino fishers 90% chinese coast guard 80% documentary film 80% political propaganda 70% exclusive economic zone 60% maritime territory 60% rodrigo duterte 50% film festival 50% bullying 40%