MANILA, Philippines — Palawan’s Kalayaan city officers have been awarded the West Philippine Sea Heroes Award on Tuesday after actions that led to their ban from coming into China and its particular administrative areas.
The Akbayan occasion and the Atin Ito group conferred the award on the native officers, dubbed the “Kalayaan 16,” together with City Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan, Vice Mayor Maurice Phillip Alexis Albayda, Councilor Francis Polizon, and 13 others.
Albayda and Polizon personally acquired the award introduced by Akbayan party-list representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula; occasion president and Atin Ito convenor Rafaela David; and co-convenor Ed dela Torre.
“As for what is going on proper now, it couldn’t be denied that we, individuals with unknown names, easy individuals with easy lives, are straightforward targets for these bullies,” Albayda mentioned in a press convention.
“However the Filipino individuals are behind us in our stand,” he added.
In keeping with the Chinese language Embassy, the 16 people are deemed “not welcome” to enter China, together with Hong Kong and Macau, on account of their resolutions declaring the nation’s former and present ambassadors to the Philippines persona non grata.
Final month, the Kalayaan municipal council declared Chinese language Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata after the embassy criticized Philippine officers, together with Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard within the West Philippine Sea.
In 2023, the city council additionally unanimously authorised a decision declaring former Beijing ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian persona non grata over the August 5 water cannon incident that yr.
“Truthfully, what we did, we predict it was only a small step, as a result of in actuality, we’re only a small city,” Polizon mentioned.
“We by no means thought that what we have been doing would have such a huge impact on the Philippines,” he added.
For David, the ban, which she referred to as “retaliatory,” has “backfired,” noting that the transfer is an “efficient recognition” of the authority of the Municipality of Kalayaan as an official authorities unit.
“Beijing’s supposed intimidation has solely strengthened our resolve,” David mentioned within the press convention. “The ban is a badge of honor.”
Pagasa Island is the most important function of the Kalayaan Island Group within the West Philippine Sea, house to some 400 locals, troops, regulation enforcers, and civilian authorities personnel.
Having had an efficient occupation and management over it, Manila asserts sovereignty inside the 12 nautical miles territorial sea of Pagasa Island, which is past the western part of the nation’s unique financial zone.
READ: West Philippine Sea: Giant fleet of Chinese language ships seen in Pagasa Island
The seat of presidency of the Kalayaan municipality often sees the presence of Chinese language ships, generally even coming into its territorial sea.
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“It’s ironic that China banned Filipinos from coming into their territory, however it’s them and their ships who’re desperately trespassing in our seas and islands,” David mentioned. /mcm
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