Youth groups to embark on ‘freedom voyage’ in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines - Various youth groups in the country are set to converge in Palawan on Nov. 30 to begin a month-long “freedom voyage” to seven islets in the West Philippine Sea occupied by Filipino troops and are being claimed by China.

The “Kalayaan Atin Ito Movement,” which claims to have 10,000 members, plans to end its “freedom voyage” at the Pag-asa Island, the seat of government of Kalayaan town, a fifth class municipality of Palawan province.

The group announced its plan at the Quezon City Memorial Circle yesterday. Organizers said they are accepting donations in cash or in kind to help them in their endeavor. They gave no further details, like what type of boats to use for their “freedom voyage” in waters where presence of Chinese maritime vessels and even naval ships is increasing.

“We are gradually losing our maritime domain to China’s aggression. If we are not doing this now, then when?” the group said.

The movement’s student coordinators said they hope to inspire Filipinos to unite in preserving the country’s maritime and territorial integrity.

Philbert Villarin, a college student from Negros Oriental State University in Dumaguete City, said he has decided to join the voyage in fulfillment of his duty as a Filipino to defend the country’s sovereignty in a peaceful way.

He said Filipinos should unite to show China that they are determined to oppose further moves by the Asian power to seize Philippine territory.

They said inaction on the part of Filipinos would only embolden China to expand its presence in the West Philippine Sea.

“If during our voyage we will be encountering the Chinese face to face, we are going to tell them that we are not going to war against them. We are going there because the area belongs to the Philippines,” Misamis Oriental college student Mariel Ipan said.

Narissa Hussain Abdullah, an education student from Maguindanao, said she hopes a show of unity against China’s bullying will inspire the youths in Mindanao to work more vigorously for lasting peace.

“First the Kalayaan Island Group. What could prevent the Chinese from occupying Batanes, or Tawi-Tawi and Siquijor later if we are not going to act now? Are we going to wait for that event to happen?” Kalayaan Atin Ito co-convenor Vera Joy Ban-eg said.

Obama praised

Meanwhile, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lauded yesterday US President Barack Obama’s calling on China to stop building artificial islands in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

Marcos said Obama’s call bolstered the Philippines’ protest and opposition to China’s aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea.

He also called on China to listen to calls for peace and to stop provocative moves.

“We welcome President Obama’s demand as another strong stance against China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. I appeal to the Chinese government to listen to the growing voice for maritime peace as a diplomatic solution to the territorial dispute,” Marcos said in a statement.

Obama and President Aquino met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit Leaders’ Meeting in Manila where the US president agreed that bold steps are needed to ease the tension in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

Marcos also said Manila and Beijing should not let the territorial dispute between the two countries define the long history of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation.

“It is unfortunate that Philippine-China relations have come to this point. For a long time in our history we have been good neighbors. We should not let our territorial dispute become the focal point of our relations,” Marcos said.

He noted that China has never attempted to colonize the Philippines and when they came here, they came in peace to trade with us. – With Christina Mendez