The rally which was led by former Secretary of Department of Interiors and Local Government (DILG) Rafael Alunan, was joined by coalition members who took turns in condemning China for its continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea (also known as South China Sea).
The coalition members include the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), RAM, Anti-Drugs Advocate, Guardians, Motorcycle Philippines Federation, United Defense Manufacturing Corp., ProGun, SMX Phils and Predator Riders, among others.
The event was the 3rd Annual Day of Protest against China’s bullying in the West Philippine Sea. Simultaneous protests have also been held in London, United States and other cities across the globe.
Among others, the West Philippine Sea Coalition cited China’s territorial aggression when it reclaimed (and continues reclaim) reefs, shoals, islets, and other submerged rocks and corals for their exclusive use despite diplomatic intervention by the US, Japan and other ASEAN-member countries.
On the environmental front, the coalition scored China for the massive destruction of the coral reefs in the disputed territories as a result of its ongoing reclamation and construction activities.
The coalition also cited China’s invasion of the Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground located within the 200-mile economic zone of the Philippines.
China’s continued presence in what the Philippines claims as part of its territory had prevented hundreds of Filipino fishermen from traversing the rich fishing ground resulting in their family’s economic displacement.
The coalition lambasted China for being a top source of illegal drugs that continues to be smuggled into the Philippines by Chinese drug lords.
In their short talk during the rally, Top VACC officials Dante Jimenez and Martin Dino together with Anti-Drugs Advocate Jonathan Morales criticized China for having destroyed lives of hundreds of thousands of drug addiction victims in the country.
Alunan and leaders of the coalition called on the public to support the case pending before the UN Arbitral Tribunal by educating the people on the merits of the case. At the same time, they also urged the public to call on the nation’s leaders to fast track the development of a credible external defense capability.
Rep. Roilo Golez, who is supporting the coalition has called on the public to boycott made in China products especially garments and buy products that are made in the Philippines.
In London, Gene Alcantara, a longtime immigration adviser and social activist together with concerned Filipinos in UK joined the global protest with their placards denouncing the Chinese aggression at the Chinese Embassy despite heavy rain. Similar protest was also held in Ireland by the Filipino communities there
Filipino communities across the US have also participated in the Anti-China protest like the one shown here from the Filipino group in Guam and the Marianas.
The leaders of the West Philippine Sea Coalition have vowed to continue heightened protests against China’s aggression in the disputed territories through legal and peaceful means.
As part of its campaign to educate the public on the country’s territorial claim, West Philipine Sea Coalition’s Belle Enriquez told Digital Journal that another forum will be held in late August to allow the public to view an ancient map showing the extent of the Philippine coastline.
