A GROUP calling itself Kalayaan Atin Ito is set to begin
today its 30-day voyage to Philippine-held territories in the South China Sea
or West Philippine Sea , and the military said
it is on its own.
“As much as possible, we don’t want them to go. We discouraged them but if they
will proceed, we’re out of it… They are on their own,” said AFP spokesman Col.
Restituto Padilla.
The group, led by former Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, has said its objective is to assert the country’s claim over disputed areas, particularly theSpratly Islands ,
which is also being claimed by China ,
Taiwan , Malaysia , Vietnam
and Brunei
The group, led by former Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, has said its objective is to assert the country’s claim over disputed areas, particularly the
The group is aiming to gather 10,000 volunteers, mostly college students, who
will be boarding 81 boats for the voyage.
Faeldon or other members of the group could not be reached yesterday. The group’s spokesmen and volunteers on Sunday said the trip, which was originally set to start yesterday, would push through instead today. They said bad weather delayed the flight of some participants from the Visayas.
Based on earlier plans, the group will sail fromPuerto
Princesa City
to the nine Philippine-occupied areas in the Spratly group of islands – Ayungin
shoal, Rizal reef, and the Kota
Padilla said the military will not be deploying ships or aircraft to monitor the movement of the group.
Faeldon or other members of the group could not be reached yesterday. The group’s spokesmen and volunteers on Sunday said the trip, which was originally set to start yesterday, would push through instead today. They said bad weather delayed the flight of some participants from the Visayas.
Based on earlier plans, the group will sail from
Padilla said the military will not be deploying ships or aircraft to monitor the movement of the group.
“We will monitor but the AFP will not be directly participating,” said Padilla.
Asked how the military will monitor the voyage, Padilla said this will done through the radio of the boats the group is renting.
“Actually, we told them that there are other and better alternative activities to show support (to the country’s claim). If they sail, what will they do when they’re already there?” asked Padilla.
Asked what the military’s last-minute appeal to the group is, Padilla said: “We already asked them (not to proceed) but they are hard-headed.”
“This is not the best time to travel, the waters are rough. That’s why we requested them if they can reconsider their decision and also appealed to them to consider doing other alternative activities,” he said.
Padilla declined to comment on the voyage’s possible implication on the territorial dispute which is being heard by an arbitral court in theNetherlands China
AFP Western Command chief Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez has opposed the voyage due to the “traitorous sea” at this time of the year. Also, he said it may increase the tension arising from the territorial row and affect the country’s case againstChina
The Department of Foreign Affairs would not comment on the trip.
DFA spokesman Charles Jose said other government agencies, such as the defense department, have already made known their opposition to the trip.
Asked how the military will monitor the voyage, Padilla said this will done through the radio of the boats the group is renting.
“Actually, we told them that there are other and better alternative activities to show support (to the country’s claim). If they sail, what will they do when they’re already there?” asked Padilla.
Asked what the military’s last-minute appeal to the group is, Padilla said: “We already asked them (not to proceed) but they are hard-headed.”
“This is not the best time to travel, the waters are rough. That’s why we requested them if they can reconsider their decision and also appealed to them to consider doing other alternative activities,” he said.
Padilla declined to comment on the voyage’s possible implication on the territorial dispute which is being heard by an arbitral court in the
AFP Western Command chief Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez has opposed the voyage due to the “traitorous sea” at this time of the year. Also, he said it may increase the tension arising from the territorial row and affect the country’s case against
The Department of Foreign Affairs would not comment on the trip.
DFA spokesman Charles Jose said other government agencies, such as the defense department, have already made known their opposition to the trip.
http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/afp-faeldon-group-you%E2%80%99re-your-own
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.