US Filipinos join global rally against China

By Don Tagala, Rommel Conclara, and Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

July 24, 2014

NEW YORK – A few dozen community leaders and members, mostly dressed in yellow shirts gathered at the Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza across the UN headquarters in New York earlier today in a rally against China.

Led by US Pinoys for Good Governance National Chair Loida Nicolas Lewis, this “peaceful global rally” is a joint protest against China’s oil rig installations in Vietnamese waters and the setting up of a military base in the West Philippine Sea.

“The issue now is that China is getting more aggressive…taking really steps to build militarily in these islands that they claim is there but is not really theirs,” said Joe Ramos of US Pinoys for Good Governance.

“The lesson for China is — Do you want to be that sleeping dragon that is awake and put fire in all of your neighbors? You’re not going to last long. Be the loving Panda and bring everybody up as you rise up as a world power,” said Lewis.

Protesters say going to war with China is not an option but the diplomatic solution seems to be taking too long resolve this issue.

“Diplomacy has not yet really set because not all the world is interested or has shown interest,” Merit Salud of NAFFAA said.

While they came here to protest China’s alleged intrusion and occupation in the West Philippine Sea, protesters say their “yellow display of affection” is an effort to show their support and loyalty to President Aquino.

As the president prepares for his State of the Nation address next week, he recently asked his supporters to wear yellow, the so-called “color of democracy”. But critics say it was a move that could only further divide an already divided nation.

“I still believe in his capacity as president and I still believe he is following the vision of the mother Cory Aquino,” Lumen Castaneda of the Unified Federation of Fil-Am Educators said.

“Politics is always divisive,” added Salud. “It’s part of it. It’s part of the game.”

Lewis said: “Even if they say his rating went down, it’s still the highest of all our presidents including President Cory Aquino in midterm.”

San Francisco

US Pinoys for Good Governance also gathered a contingent in front of the United Nations plaza in San Francisco just before noon today

Recently China has moved a massive oil rig away from disputed areas which may ease a tense standoff between China and other Asian countries in the area.

But Beijing says it will not be stopped from carrying out exploration activities in waters it considers its own, regardless of what the rest of the world says.

China has also hit the Philippines over extended oil drilling in the disputed territories after the Philippines extended the permit of Forum Energy, a Manny Pangilinan-led company, which conducts oil drilling in the West Philippine Sea.

Los Angeles

Meanwhile, Filipinos gathered at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, ready to voice their opinions in the ongoing territorial dispute.
For them this is a countdown to the tribunal that will rule the rightful owner of the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines is expected to give its opening arguments in July of 2015.

China has yet to respond to the Philippines’ 4,000-page memorial, however lawyers believe that the tribunal will take place whether or not China participates

Activists believe China will not have any valid arguments if they do participate.

While rulings aren’t expected until 2016, community leaders say Filipinos must continue putting pressure on China to join the tribunal.