THE United States has stepped up its support in favor of the Philippines in the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea, amid China’s alleged bullying of smaller claimants in the disputed areas.
The US’ message is clear: it does not recognize China’s claim over the area where it has reportedly reclaimed islands and built structures.
As Balitang America reported, one of the largest aircraft carriers in the world — USS Ronald Reagan— will soon join the US Navy’s mission to protect the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea. The super carrier is armed with a multitude of aircrafts reportedly designed for electronic warfare.
ABS-CBN news reported that the Aquino Administration has reiterated the need to uphold freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea, after a CNN report showed a US surveillance aircraft being shooed away by the Chinese Navy in the area.
Malacanang also stressed that China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea heighten tensions in the region and that the Philippines will continue to abide by international law, calling call for a legally binding Code of Conduct that will govern activities in the disputed area.
In the meantime, the Fil-Am group US Pinoys for Good Governance has called for kababayans all over the world to boycott goods made in China, as well as companies that sell these goods like Walmart, Target, and even Apple.
Balitang America ran an online poll to know how kababayans feel about this call.
The results of the poll show an overwhelming support among Fil-Ams who voted. 82 percent said YES, saying this boycott would be an easy way for regular folks among Filipinos to take a stand against China’s actions.
Only 18 percent said NO. They contend that Chinese-made products are very affordable. Boycotting them does not make sense for ordinary people who need to stick to their budget to keep afloat.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
