AS the ongoing dispute between China and the Philippines on the Spratly row heats up, Filipino-Americans, spearheaded by the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) will hold demonstrations at China’s consular offices on July 8 (12nn) in 5 US cities: Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
This is to protest the scheduled oil rig drilling activities in the Philippine-owned territory of Spratly Islands by China this July.
“Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, a nation owns the oil, mineral and other resources within a two hundred mile radius from its base,” says a press release from USP4GG.
“The public demonstrations on July 8 seek to expose China’s abrogation of its pledge to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to resolve sovereignty disputes peacefully through negotiations. In March 2010, China unilaterally declared the South China Sea a ‘core national interest’ similar to its claims to Tibet and Taiwan and therefore ‘non-negotiable.’ China also has 2.17 million soldiers under its command which is larger than the combined military personnel of all the ASEAN countries. With its superior military forces, China appears determined to begin its billion-dollar oil rig construction activity this July approximately 125 miles from Palawan within the Philippines’ 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” it adds.
The Spratly row issue was DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario’s top-of-mind during his visit to Washington D.C. last week. He revealed that there have been “at least nine intrusions in Philippine territory in the last few months after a Philippine oceanographic research ship was chased out of Philippine waters by Chinese warships.”
On June 23, in a meeting at the State Department, Sec. Clinton assured Sec.del Rosario that the US will honor its commitment to the Philippines, under the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty.
“There are more than 4 million Filipinos in the US who can mobilize to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines by exposing China’s aggressive acts in the Spratlys. What is also at stake is the Philippines ownership of potentially trillions of dollars in revenue from its oil and natural gas resources,” said community leader Rodel Rodis.
Noted philanthropist, community leader and businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis appeals to kababayans: “We call on Global Filipinos and Philippine organizations throughout the world to stand up to the China bully and protest its impending intrusion of the Philippines by demonstrating in front of consular offices of China throughout the world.”
Undoubtedly, there is strength in numbers. As Filipino-Americans, it is our responsibility to become fully involved and engaged on issues of this magnitude for we possess the voice of Filipinos and the strength of America. It’s time to be heard.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(AJ Midweek July 6-8, 2011 Sec A pg.6)
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