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Global May 11 protest vs 'China encroachment' on Philippine territory
MANILA, Philippines – Organizers of a multi-country protest against Chinese encroachment on Philippine territory are vowing to gather tens of thousands on May 11 in Manila alone, as they announced a roster of prominent Filipino personalities that they said have already pledged to show up in the rallies.
Among the more well-known personalities who have signified support for the protest - the rallies are planned to be held in front of Chinese embassies worldwide - are former President Fidel Ramos, former civil service commissioner Karina David, civil society leader Leah Navarro, Paolo Delez, and broadway star Lea Salonga, the protest leaders said.
Updating journalists on the earlier call for Filipinos around the world to picket Chinese embassies and consulates on May 11, lead organizer Loida Nicolas Lewis of the US Pinoys for Good Governance watchdog group said the Makati City rally will take place between 12 noon and 1 p.m on that date, in front of the Chinese Embassy.
Former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Jackson Gan of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce joined Nicolas-Lewis in calling on all patriotic Filipinos here and abroad to join the International Day of Protest against China's intrusions on Philippine territory.
So far, Filipino groups in the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Thailand, South Africa, Germany and the United Arab Emirates have committed support for the synchronized protest against Chinese incursions in Panatag, also called Scarborough Shoal, just off Zambales province.
The standoff began April 10 when a Chinese maritime surveillance ship blocked the Philippine Navy warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar from apprehending the crew and seizing cargo of endangered marine species from eight Chinese fishing boats in the lagoon.
As of last count, nine Chinese vessels have been deployed in the area as a show of force, even as Beijing rejected Manila’s invitation to bring the issue to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
The US Pinoys for Good Governance said in the face of such intransigence, Filipinos around the world---estimates vary from 8 to 10 million—should show they will not stand for the brazen incursions in areas clearly within the Philippines’s UN-designated 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
A signature campaign won’t be enough, rally organizers said.
Earlier, President Aquino and Department of Foreign Affairs officials had reached out to other members of ASEAN, warning them that if they don’t speak up against China on this issue, they could be the next victim of such incursions.
Fellow ASEAN member Vietnam, the only one so far strongly in support of Manila’s tack, has had run-ins with China in the past.
Akbayan’s stance
Meanwhile, party-list group Akbayan, which supports the global protest on May 11, welcomed America’s “neutral” stance in the maritime row between Manila and Beijing.
The Aquino administration’s multi-pronged strategy---and its thus far peaceful approach to the controversy, are also correct, according to Akbayan’s Riza Hontiveros.
Akbayan has twice held protests against China since the Panatag stand-off began last month.
http://www.akbayan.org.ph/
Updating journalists on the earlier call for Filipinos around the world to picket Chinese embassies and consulates on May 11, lead organizer Loida Nicolas Lewis of the US Pinoys for Good Governance watchdog group said the Makati City rally will take place between 12 noon and 1 p.m on that date, in front of the Chinese Embassy.
Former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Jackson Gan of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce joined Nicolas-Lewis in calling on all patriotic Filipinos here and abroad to join the International Day of Protest against China's intrusions on Philippine territory.
So far, Filipino groups in the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Thailand, South Africa, Germany and the United Arab Emirates have committed support for the synchronized protest against Chinese incursions in Panatag, also called Scarborough Shoal, just off Zambales province.
The standoff began April 10 when a Chinese maritime surveillance ship blocked the Philippine Navy warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar from apprehending the crew and seizing cargo of endangered marine species from eight Chinese fishing boats in the lagoon.
As of last count, nine Chinese vessels have been deployed in the area as a show of force, even as Beijing rejected Manila’s invitation to bring the issue to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
The US Pinoys for Good Governance said in the face of such intransigence, Filipinos around the world---estimates vary from 8 to 10 million—should show they will not stand for the brazen incursions in areas clearly within the Philippines’s UN-designated 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
A signature campaign won’t be enough, rally organizers said.
Earlier, President Aquino and Department of Foreign Affairs officials had reached out to other members of ASEAN, warning them that if they don’t speak up against China on this issue, they could be the next victim of such incursions.
Fellow ASEAN member Vietnam, the only one so far strongly in support of Manila’s tack, has had run-ins with China in the past.
Akbayan’s stance
Meanwhile, party-list group Akbayan, which supports the global protest on May 11, welcomed America’s “neutral” stance in the maritime row between Manila and Beijing.
The Aquino administration’s multi-pronged strategy---and its thus far peaceful approach to the controversy, are also correct, according to Akbayan’s Riza Hontiveros.
Akbayan has twice held protests against China since the Panatag stand-off began last month.
http://www.akbayan.org.ph/
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China's claim to most of the islands in the west philippine sea is quite preposterous and idiotic. according to UNCLOS, and other related international agreements, the proximity of most of those islands to the 200 km exclusive economic zone of the philippines are proof enough that they belong to us, and china, i believe, is one of the signatories to UNCLOS. They wouldn't want to settle the dispute with the UN because the nature of their claim, and the proof of it, is nothing more than their very own chinese historical facts, which they continously inculcate, to the point of brainwashing, to their citizenry. Imagine this; If I have a child and I regularly take him to an island for fishing, and everytime we're fishing there, I tell him that this island is ours and I refer to it with some other name, and I do it on a regular basis until my child is old enough, chances are, my child would claim it as ours. But does it make his claim legitimate? This is why I believe that china's action is nothing more than bullying pure and simple. they are doing this not for any legitimate or justifiable reason, but for the very simple reason that they think they can.
Lets face the facts and be realistic, that we cannot defend ourselves militarily against China, Now, as Mr.Walden Bello's statement and suggestion that United States. should not interfere with the problem, then who could help us? among the asean, only Vietnam, is vocal and even had confronted the intruder Chinese.
We are lucky, that we have that Bilateral Aggreement with the United States, that in case of war they can come and help us fight any intruder or enemy. What kind of logic does Mr. Bello stands for ! just so he will be popular to his comrade local commies NPA and or the left leaning winger?I disagree fully to his statement, that I have lost my iota of respect!
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Just to recall the events when we were in the struggle against the Conjugal Dictatorship in the United States, against the Marcos Dictatorships. I recall that Walden Bello, was also in the United States, their group ran counter to my theory not to campaign for the removal of the bases, while trying to stop the support of all americans to the dictator it was counter to my wishes, that was why? it was hard for the American leadership to decide and took them long 17 years!! My 0ne page letter to President Reagan regarding the Extradition Treaty that I opposed because it was approved and signed by Marcos and Reagan, without the consultation from Congress, and followed up by four pages of letters to all the congressmen, was a success!!! They listened and invited me as a Member of the Congressional Advisory Board, and senator Paul Laxalt, flew to Manila and told Marcos to "exit cleanly".
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