Fil-Ams demand China: Vacate fake islands in West PH Sea
Paul Henson, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau Chief
https://youtu.be/PXQSGTezcaU
SAN FRANCISCO – Filipino protesters in the United States are calling on China to immediately dismantle its structures and vacate the artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, following the decision of the court in the Hague favoring the Philippines.
Filipino-American protesters marched to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco with a strong and loud message.
“I’ve been praying for this good decision everyday. I am overwhelmed. Pilipinong-pilipino ako and I would like to preserve our natural resources,” said Bernadette Roco.
Three years after the Philippine government filed a case against China, the court in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, saying:
– China’s nine-dash line claim has no legal basis;
– China’s reclaimed islands are not part of an exclusive economic zone;
– it was illegal for China to build artificial islands and interfere with Filipino fishermen; and,
– China’s actions have damaged the environment.
Protesters are calling on China to respect the court ruling and not incite further conflict.
“They should disperse. They should get out right away. That’s not their property. That is ours. This is owned by Filipinos, not the Chinese,” said Gloria Navarrete.
Rudy Asercion of the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations added, “Territorial disputes are rarely settled by negotiations. There’s always armed conflict. So what we’re trying to advocate is for China to abide by that ruling.”
While reparation for China’s damages to the ecosystem is an issue, protesters say the Philippine government must first protect Filipino fishermen.
“We are also concerned China is also destroying the coral reefs when they are building the artificial islands, that’s going to destroy future sources of fish. We want the government of president [Rodrigo] Duterte to defend the Philippines, defend our fishermen,” said Rodel Rodis of the US Pinoys for Good Governance.
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton admits the US has a deep interest in the South China Sea and to the free flow of commerce. She supports a multilateral approach to carry out the ruling.
Adviser to republican candidate Donald Trump, Peter Navarro, reiterated that all parties must respect freedom of navigation under international rules.
(Source: ABS-CBN.com)