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Colmenares: If gov’t
doesn’t act on West PH
Sea, we will
Groups to hold Araw ng Kagitingan rally outside Chinese Consular office

By: Gabriel Pabico Lalu - Reporter / @GabrielLaluINQ

INQUIRER.net / 12:02 PM April 02, 2019
Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares is calling on

groups and personalities to join protest movements against the Chinese
occupation of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying that they would act on the
issue if the government remained silent.

“Kung ayaw ng gobyernong kumilos, tayo na mismo ang kumilos,” Colmenares

said in a press conference on Tuesday, as a response to statements of government
officials on the fate of fishermen in the disputed region.

“Sa Abril 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, pumunta po tayo sa Chinese consulate sa

Makati para iparating sa China ang ating pagtutol sa kanilang ginagawa sa
Panatag Shoal, Zambales at sa Pag-Asa Island, Palawan,” he added.

According to Colmenares, who is running for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm
elections, the protest would at least inform the government and the international
community that Filipinos do not approve of China’s militarized approach in the
WPS.

“At least our people, the government, and the world will know that Filipinos are
against their illegal and unjust activities and are ready to stand up to defend their
rights,” he noted.

“We cannot remain silent in the face of China’s actions against our fisherfolk
and our rights. We don’t even know if the government has really filed a
diplomatic protest. So what else can we do but air our protest directly to China?”
he explained.

Colmenares has previously called on the government to act on concerns made by

fisherfolk in Panatag Shoal who were allegedly harassed continuously by the
Chinese Coast Guard.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo asked for proof of the harassment so

that they could file diplomatic protests. Colmenares and a fisher’s group
rebuffed him, saying that testimonial evidence from the fishermen is enough to
file cases.

READ: Lawyers from opposition slam Palace ‘sell-out’ stance in China

talks
READ: Panelo: Show proof fishers being harassed in Panatag
READ: Fishers to Panelo: Chinese harassment in Panatag real
Days after, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) merely
advised fisherfolk against fishing in the area.

READ: Opposition bets denounce BFAR’s advise for fishermen to stay

away from Panatag Shoal
The former lawmaker also called on other personalities to support their cause,
saying the issue of territorial sovereignty goes beyond political colors and
affiliations.

“Kahit ano pa ang paniniwala mo, kahit ano pa ang partido mo. Dilaw ka man,
pula o asul, ang importante magkaisa tayo bilang Pilipino para depensahan ang
ating soberanya,” he said.

“This is not about narrow political loyalties. This is about resisting the power
play of an imperialist country and calling out the inaction of our own
government,” he added.

Panelo said Tuesday that he believed the Department of Foreign Affairs was in
the process of sending a note verbale to the Chinese embassy over the presence
of hundreds of militia vessels near Pag-asa Island. /cbb

READ: Panelo: Diplomatic protest vs China ‘on its way’

READ: Locsin says diplomatic protest vs China will not be made public
READ NEXT

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TAGS: Araw ng Kagitingan, Bayan Muna, Chinese Consulate, Neri Colmenares, Philippine
news updates, West Philippine Sea

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