Manila, March 4 -- Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos opposed the Supreme Court's decision allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters that would displace around two million fishers when implemented.

In an interview on the sidelines of the convention of the Liga ng mga Barangay of Cebu held here on Tuesday, Abalos cited that the Philippine Fisheries Code's provision on the 15-km. zone from the coastline allotted for small fishers is for the simple reason that they are dependent on it for their daily sustenance.

"It has been there for more than 20 years. It will affect at least two million of our fisherfolk and their family. You could just imagine the impact here," he said.

Besides affecting livelihood, Aba...