More than a thousand Filipinos celebrated Independence Day with a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in the Makati central financial district, demanding that the Asian giant stop its "illegal occupation of an entire sea."
Former senator Rene Saguisag, convenor of the new alliance P1NAS, said the country should resist bullying by China and at the same time be wary of other superpowers out to manipulate the West Philippine Sea and other maritime disputes for their own interests.
P1NAS' main message, "Hands Off", is directed at both China and the United States.
"These two powerful countries are increasingly conniving and challenging each other in their quest for dominance in the Asia Pacific region, particularly the West Philippine Sea and surrounding waters. In such a situation, we need a vigilant, united and active citizenry to make sure we don't lose our territory nor bargain away our sovereignty," the group said in its statement, "Neither the claws of the Dragon nor the Eagle.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, another P1NAS convenor, called the Chinese claim "absurd." "No country should be allowed to occupy and claim ownership of an entire sea," Colmenares said.
He said the Asian giant is not just manufacturing an island; it is also manufacturing evidence for its claim.
Protest artist Juana Change called the Chinese government "a thief," noting its government's efforts to protect poachers that threaten Philippine seas, known to be biodiversity centers in the world.
Salvador France of Pamalakaya said Chinese threats and harassment are depriving Filipino fishermen of their livelihood.
He said Chinese poachers have destroyed or stolen P4.5-billion worth of coral and sea life in the West Philippine Sea.
The protesters also accused Chinese state firms of engaging in corruption and illegal transactions in the Philippines.
Colmenares cited the NBN-ZTE contract that rocked the government of the former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and the North Rail project.
Environmentalists, meanwhile, warned that corrupt Philippine officials were allowing the Chinese to destroy hundreds of kilometers of coastlines in Luzon and the Visayas because of black sand mining.
The alliance said it backs efforts to peacefully resolve the maritime dispute. But it vowed to seek internal support among people's of various countries and push global citizen diplomacy against Asia's bully.
A second group, led by former interior secretary Rafael Alunan would follow with a Martsa ng Kalayaan.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/06/12/15/hands-freedom-day-rally-protests-china-bullying
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