Groups to hold protests vs China’s militarization

MANILA, Philippines — Militant groups will stage a protest on Saturday to condemn China’s militarization of its artificial West Philippine Sea islands.

Leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan called on Filipinos to protest China’s military build-up and the administration’s supposed subservience to foreign powers like China.

“If the Philippine government does not want to protest China’s military build-up in the disputed islands and our exclusive economic zone, then it’s the Filipino people who will have to raise their voice and protest,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr said.

IF PH government does not want to protest China's military build up in the disputed islands and our EEZ, then it's the Filipino people who will have to raise their voice and protest. See you Saturday, February 10, 10:30am at the Chinese consulate in Makati. pic.twitter.com/EhEzQTlI0O

— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) February 7, 2018

The groups will hold a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati at 10:30 a.m.  

Malacañang has been criticized for its “nonchalance” on South China Sea’s militarization in the contested waters.

On Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it would be better for the country to maintain friendly relations with Beijing as the Philippines cannot wage a war against China.

“While can’t stand up to them, let’s not give them an opportunity to use the weapons in these artificial islands against us," Roque said.

Earlier this week, a newspaper report showed that China's militarization of its artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea was nearly complete.

Roque had dismissed the report, saying that the information was not anymore "news" as the islands were already reclaimed during the time of the former administration.

READ: Contrary to Roque's remark, China structures on man-made islands grew under Duterte's nose