#CHexit | Various groups hold protest in Chinese Consulate as they await the Arbitral
Tribunal’s verdict
Manila, Philippines – Together with various patriotic groups, the fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya-Pilipinas) trooped to Chinese Consulate in Makati while waiting for the arbitral tribunal’s final verdict of the case filed by the Philippines against China regarding the sea row.
The protest was led by the broad patriotic alliance Pilipinong Nagkakaisa Para sa Soberanya (P1NAS), which Pamalakaya is also a convener.
“This is the judgment day. The day everybody is waiting for. The day where the Permanent Court of Arbitration will finally release its ruling on who is the legal claimant of the long-disputed West Philippine Sea,” Salvador France, Pamalakaya vice-chairperson said in a statement.
Fishermen from the province of Zambales particularly in Bajo de Masinloc were also in the protest to decry China’s aggressive incursion that post threat to their livelihoods and security. Since China has occupied the Scarborough Shoal, Filipino fisherfolk were unable to fish in the waters where China is doing its reclamation activities.
“Filipino fishers have all experienced the worst. They are the front-line casualties of this maritime-dispute having nil support from the past administrations,” France said.
The fisherfolk brought with them a shattered boat to symbolize the adverse effect of Chinese usurpation to the lives and livelihoods of the fishers.
“If the arbitral decision favors the Philippines claim, China should respect the decision. They are obliged to pack-up and leave our waters and settle the sea row in any peaceful ways that are possible.
We urge the Filipino people to unite and intensify the defiance against foreign domination in the name of defending our sovereignty and territorial integrity.” France ended. ###
