Palace: Group told to reconsider second trip to Kalayaan

 

A Malacañang official on Friday said a dialogue is being held with members of the Kalayaan Atin Ito group, who are reportedly planning a one-month protest trip to the Kalayaan (Spratly) islands in the West Philippine Sea, which China refers to as the South China Sea.

In a text message, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the group of protesters should consider other means to assert the territorial claim of the Philippines in the disputed territory

“According to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), continuing dialogue is being held with the group so that its members may duly consider the caution issued by authorities on the hazards of traveling in that area and to propose to them alternative methods of pursuing their advocacy,” Coloma said.

A Reuters report said Thursday the group is planning another protest trip in April.

"In April, we will make another voyage to our islands. This time, we will spend a month to visit all the islands we occupy in the Kalayaan. We are encouraging all patriotic Filipinos to join us and fight for our territory,” said Vera Joy Ban-eg, spokeswoman for the Kalayaan Atin Ito group.

In December, the same group of about 50 Filipinos, mostly students, made a three-day boat trip to Pagasa, one of nine outcrops or islands occupied by the Philippines.

Coming back from their trip, the group said the Philippines "has lost" the Pag-asa Island to China, citing the "triangle militarized zone" from Fiery Cross Reef to Subi Reef and Mischief Reef.

China, they said, "blatantly violates our sovereignty and clearly disregarded international law that is suppose to rule the sea." — APG, GMA News