Chinese ‘welcome message’ in Pag-asa island sign of disrespect and invasion of territory — group
Manila, Philippines — “Disrespect and direct invasion”, this was how the militant fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) described the greeting text message “Welcome to China!” that the Philippine officials and journalists received upon setting foot in the Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town in Palawan, and part of the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, PAMALAKAYA dared defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was among the Philippine officials who received the text message to “respond and act accordingly as it was an utter disrespect of our sovereignty and manifestation of a direct foreign invasion.”
“Ano pa at naging defense secretary siya kung wala siyang gagawin para panagutin ang China at ipakita na hindi palalampasin ng Pilipinas ang ginawa nilang kalapastanganan sa ating teritoryo. Hinahamon namin si Secretary Lorenzana na gawin ang nararapat; malakas na kundenahin sa publiko ang ginawa ng China,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.
The fisherfolk group added that it would be a “disgrace” for the country’s defense officials if they will let such incident pass.
“Yung tapang nila sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino ay dapat nakatuon sa mga dayuhang aktwal na nananakop sa ating bansa. Kahiya-hiya sila sa buong mundo kung isasawalang bahala nila ito,” ended Hicap. ###
