Protesters, mostly young people, made their messages clear as they waved Philippine flags and held placards during a gathering at the jamboree roundabout in Quezon City, July 12 to mark the 8th anniversary of the Philippines’ victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The Arbitral Tribunal declared null China’s nine-dash line map which covers almost the whole of the vast South China Sea infringing on the economic exclusive zones of other Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines.
China refused to recognize the arbitral court ruling.
The recent hostile incident between the Philippines and China happened last June 17 during the rotation and reprovision operation of the Philippine Navy.
Meanwhile, at the forum organized by Stratbase ADR Institute at the Manila Polo Club in Makati, Stratbase President Dindo Manhit called for more joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and like-minded countries, amid continuous illegal and aggressive actions of China in the area.
He also urged support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said the Philippines does not want conflict in the South China Sea even as, she said, the government will continue to assert Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, “as we uphold and protect our maritime entitlements under the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Photos and video by Bullit Marquez.
