JUNE 12 marks the celebration of Independence Day among Filipinos, a commemoration of the victory of our people against foreign intrusions and oppressors that denied Filipinos the freedom and liberties that are considered rights of any democratic nation.
However, it seems the call to defend the freedom and liberties is an ongoing saga, especially in the face of present challenges and threats to national sovereignty.
“Sa manglulupig, di ka pasisiil,” is a line in the Philippine national anthem that Fil-Am community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis wants Filipinos to never forget, especially in the ongoing dispute of the Philippines against China in the latter’s illegal claim and settlement in islands and waters in the West Philippine Sea.
The Fil-Am group US Pinoys for Good Governance has called for a global protest against China’s aggression and bullying in the disputed areas, which includes a boycott of goods made in China. This boycott covers companies that sell Chinese goods like Walmart, Target, Dollar stores, and those that outsource labor to China like Apple.
In New York, kababayans will protest in front of an Apple Store. In Los Angeles, Walmart is where Filipinos will stage their protest action on June 12.
“We will show our displeasure and protest against the Chinese incursion and island grabbing in the West Philippine Sea,” said community leader Art Garcia in a report by Balitang America Correspondent Steve Angeles.
As Angeles reported, Filipinos will gather at noon at the Walmart Neighborhood Market that borders the Chinatown district.
“We call on [a] boycott of all Chinese goods in the United States in defense of our sovereignty,” Garcia contended. “Although we’ll make no dent, we’ll just show our protest and displeasure over the Chinese incursions and trespassing.”
Community leaders remind Filipinos all over the world that it is their duty to take on the Chinese as US forces have not done enough to intervene in the territorial dispute.
“I think the US is behind us. But when push comes to shove, if the US will be there, we don’t know. But China has been doing all the work down there and we can’t stop them,” said Atty. Roman Mosqueda of US Pinoys for Good Governance.
Will you join the protest actions and calls for a boycott to send the message that China should respect international laws and back off its illegal claim against the disputed territories the Philippines says belongs rightfully to Filipinos?
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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
