BAYAN Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares over the weekend denounced China’s action of firing flares at Filipino fishermen near Mabini Reef, saying that China’s aggressive actions should be countered by a broad alliance of patriots to protect Philippine interests.
Colmenares said that although there was an urgent need for Filipinos to get act together and decisively act to exert pressure and counter China’s moves, this would mean a broad alliance of Filipinos and friends here and abroad.
He said this should be a people’s alliance here and in other countries that would condemn and challenge China’s aggressive actions.
“China has already reclaimed at least seven reefs such as the Panganiban (Mischief), Mabini (Johnson South), Gavin (Gaven), Calderon (Cuarteron), Hughes (Kennan), Malvar (Eldad) and Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reefs, that are clearly within Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone but hardly anything has been done to address it,” said Colmenares, the senior House deputy minority leader.
He said, “Furthermore, based on the recent presentation of the ‘US Maritime Security Policies and the Philippine Claims,’ made by Fulbright scholar Prof. Dr. Jay Batongbacal, we have concluded that the US is only interested in ensuring its unhindered passage in the West Philippine Sea.
“As long as the interest of the US is satisfied, it will just mouth motherhood statements on defending the Philippines but will not act at to counter China. Ordinary citizens need to be involved in defending our land and seas and in pursuing a truly independent foreign policy that neither bows to China’s bullying nor kowtows to US impositions,” Colmenares said.
He said help from the international community is welcome but there should be no strings attached, and VFAs or other military pacts should not be demanded.
“The proposed VFA between the Philippines and Japan would only lead to our further dependence on other countries. There is already a standing VFA between the Philippines and the US as well as Australia and it has done nothing to modernize the AFP let alone deter China from its aggressive actions. As things stand almost all our former colonizers already have a VFA with the Philippines,” he said. -pna
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