Military commander in Palawan assailed for being ‘China’s defender’

From the Business Mirror (Nov 25): Military commander in Palawan assailed for being ‘China’s defender’

THE top military commander in charge of defending the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) was criticized on Wednesday for allegedly becoming “China’s defender,” because he dissuaded a group of volunteers from sailing into the area to assert the country’s sovereignty.

Rather than defending Beijing, the Armed Forces Western Command Chief Vice Adml. Alexander Lopez, should perform his “patriotic duty” of securing the Philippine territory against China’s intrusions and occupation, members of the Kalayaan Atin Ito said.

The volunteer group, which is composed mostly of students, reacted negatively to the statement of Lopez barring the group from undertaking its planned sailing trip on the South China Sea because “it will anger China.”

The group said 20,000 of its student-volunteers, who even sacrificed their classes, will sail to the area that is being disputed by China for 30 days beginning at the end of this month to assert the country’s sovereignty.

The trip, which they dubbed as “freedom voyage,” will also be undertaken in support of the proceedings against China before the UN Arbitral Tribunal following a declaration more than a month ago by the body that it has jurisdiction to hear the case of the Philippines.

Lopez, in a statement, said he was against the voyage because of the sea condition, which could “endanger” the lives of the members.

“Personally, I am not in favor of that…we endanger unnecessarily the lives of the participants. What they will do is unnecessary risk. They do not know how treacherous the sea condition is right now. If ever they will do that, they are ill-advised,” Lopez said.

Responding to Lopez’s statement, Mariel Ipan, 24, a student volunteer from Misamis Oriental, who will joining the scheduled voyage, said the military official’s statement was an “irresponsible” one.

“I am assuming this is just your personal knee-jerk and irresponsible statement and not an official statement [of the military],” she said.

Ipan told Lopez to follow the example of retired Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, who, as the commander of the Western Command, said that he and his troops would fight the Chinese even if “we are only armed with bolos.”

Sabban issued the statement in 2013, when asked what he would do with China’s presence in the South China Sea.

It was Sabban who ordered the towing to port in Palawan and destruction of 12 small boats that were used by Chinese fishermen, who were caught poaching on the South China Sea, while at the same time ordering for the arrest of the fishermen.

The act dissuaded other Chinese fishermen from further venturing into the territory held by the Philippines on the South China Sea while sealing off the presence of Chinese paramilitary vessels also in the area.

It was after Sabban’s term that Chinese ships started frequenting the area and established their presence at the Ayungin Shoal, making it hard for the military to resupply its troops aboard the partly sunken BRP Siera Madre.

“That is why when he [Sabban] was the chief, our troops gallantly defended the Kalayaan Island Group. Even if only bouys were left by China, they were promptly removed,” Ipan said.

Addressing Lopez, Ipan said: “Vice Adml. Alexander Lopez, now that it is your term, seven artificial reefs were made by China in the coast of Palawan.”“You might want to explain to us youth, who are ready to sail and fight for the territory that was taken by China, as to why this has happened, while you were the chief before you stop us from sailing in order to fight for our sovereignty,” Ipan added.

Another student-volunteer Jimson Ahaja, who is from Sulu, said they were saddened that it was even a Filipino that is preventing them from taking a stand at the South China Sea.

“We love this country that is why we are taking this. We, who are from Sulu, are ready to take a stand and fight for our independence,” he said.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/military-commander-in-palawan-assailed-for-being-chinas-defender/