- International students join Filipino protest against the militarization of the West Philippine Sea
- The protesters call out against China for building military installations on disputed islets
- They also push for respect for international law and ease of tensions
Around 5,000 students headed to the Chinese embassy to protest the country’s militarization in the West Philippine Sea.
China has been accused of building military installations on islets located in waters which the Philippines claims as part of its exclusive economic zones, in accordance with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Both China and the Philippines are signatories to the UNCLOS.
The protesters, which included some international students in solidarity with Filipino groups, called on China to join diplomatic negotiations and respect for rule of law, instead of resorting to activities considered as “bullying.”
The international students, who are currently studying in the Philippines, came from countries like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, East Timor, Myanmar, and South Korea. They brought along with them their respective national flags that were waved alongside the Philippine flag.
“These massive construction of China and the alleged militarization is really affecting our national security and economic survival in the next coming years,” Ryan Oliver, president and convenor of National Youth Congress 2013, told InterAksyon.
Other students weighed in on the current tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
“China cannot just claim anything they want. China should respect its neighbors like Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia,” explained Tourism Management major Aryo Pramesworo from Indonesia.
“China should respect international law and stop militarization in the South China Sea, and respect the freedom of navigation,” said Sri Lankan graduate student Jeewan Karunaratna.
“China’s aggressive behavior violates international law, including the UNCLOS of 1982, of which China is a member. China has turned out to be a source of tensions for the whole region,” lamented Vietnamese student Nguyen.
Incumbent Parañaque Representative and former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez also joined the protest action.
“Hindi kami papayag dyan kaya dapat lahat tayo ay gumising na. Kaya uulitin ko, China, dapat sumunod kayo sa tamang pakikipag-kapitbahay at dapat tamang batas internasyonal. [We will not allow the actions you have taken, so we all should wake up. That is why I reiterate, China, that you should follow proper conduct as neighbor and in accordance with international law],” Golez said.
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