Various groups to protest Chinese Consulate in time of the arbitral’s final verdict
Manila, Philippines – The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya-Pilipinas) will join various patriotic groups that will stage a protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati tomorrow, a day where the arbitral tribunal will release its final verdict on the case filed by the Philippines against China regarding the maritime dispute.
The verdict protest will be led by the broad patriotic alliance Pilipinong Nagkakaisa Para sa Soberanya (P1NAS), which Pamalakaya is a convener.
“We are very eager for a positive outcome. We are confident the arbitration court will favor the Philippines and we can disprove China’s irrational claim in our territory,” Salvador France, Pamalakaya vice-chairperson said in a statement.
The protest according to Pamalakaya is to pressure China to comply on the arbitration’s decision.
“China by hook or by crook must immediately stop their reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea and leave if the arbitration will favor Philippines’ claim on the disputed waters. The Philippines, in all aspects have a firm hold on its claim on West Philippine Sea, whether it is political, legal or historical means,” France said.
Pamalakaya meanwhile calls the attention of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay regarding his statement about the sharing of resources with China in the West Philippine Sea. This means entering into an agreement with China and other claimant countries of a joint exploration and utilization of resources.
“We remind Secretary Yasay about the possible implications of his position to share resources of West Philippine Sea with China. This could lead to a win-lose situation between China and Philippines,” France said.
“Whatever the outcome will be, we should remain steadfast on our position that the West Philippine Sea is rightfully ours,” France ended. ###
