黑料社

Video by Noy Morcoso/黑料社

Two opposing groups trooped to the Chinese Consulate in Makati City on the national day of independence to condemn China鈥檚 harassment against the Philippines in forcibly reclaiming parts of the West Philippine Sea.

The groups, composed of around 1,200 participants, were led by Pilipinong Nagkakaisa para sa Soberanya (P1NAS) formed to fight for the country鈥檚 sovereignty amid the escalating tension due to China鈥檚 expansion.

Waving both anti-US and China banners, the groups assembled on the corner of Gil Puyat and Makati Avenues and marched to the Chinese consular office to hold a protest.

Among those who joined the protest were former Sen. Rene Saguisag, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, actress Bibeth Orteza, satirist Juana Change or Mae Paner, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan鈥檚 Teddy Casi帽o and Renato Reyes.

鈥淣aiipit tayo sa dalawang nag-uumpugang bato.聽We are neither for the Dragon nor the Eagle. We have to look at our own national interest.聽Hindi 鈥榶ung kakapit lang tayo sa kung sinong聽superpower,鈥� Reyes said in an interview.

鈥淲e are reminded that the Philippines is not truly free,鈥� he added.

Just like in previous protests, Paner wore a headdress鈥攁 miniature BRP Sierra Madre, the rusty and dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that served as home to troops in the disputed Ayungin Shoal.

Celia Veloso, mother of Mary Jane Veloso, also participated in the protest. She, however, refused to be interviewed by聽.

The rally leaders held a short program聽in聽front of the Chinese Consulate. As they wrapped up the program, protesters led by Roilo Golez started to march from the opposite end of Gil Puyat Avenue but refused to join the militant groups.

Golez and members of the 鈥淒i Ka Pasisiil Movement鈥� marched, some riding motorcycles, to the consular office of China but waited until the militants have dispersed.

鈥淣o, we鈥檙e not joining them. Of course not. That鈥檚 a group that wants us to be alone against China. Alliances are not bad. In the end that鈥檚 for national interest. We can鈥檛 defend ourselves alone versus a giant,鈥� Golez said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 their agenda. It鈥檚 our agenda. We shouldn鈥檛 mind then. It鈥檚 their prerogative. This is a free country,鈥� added the former national security adviser.

From the Chinese Consulate, the militants trooped to United States Embassy along Roxas Boulevard in Manila where they also held a program.

No tension arose between the protesters and personnel from the Manila Police District and Regional Public Safety Battalion after militant leaders negotiated with the police.

Women鈥檚 rights group Gabriela also joined the protest and urged the people to stand up against the 鈥渞ape of Philippine motherland鈥� by China and US.

鈥淭he US and China are blatantly pursuing competing interests in the race to gain hegemonic control of the Asia-Pacific region at the expense of the Filipino people鈥檚 sovereign right over our own national territory,鈥� said Joms Salvador, Gabriela secretary general.

鈥淭hey may have different strategies but both of them are players in a macho war game much like gang-rapists bickering about who beds the victim first,鈥� Salvador said.

With President Benigno Aquino III taking the side of US, the group says he is practically聽serving the country鈥檚 national sovereignty on a silver platter to the Americans.

Supt. Albert Barto, Ermita police station commander, said the protest in Manila had been peaceful with no violence or untoward incident reported.

Unlike in earlier protests at the US Embassy where police usually clash with rallyists, police seemed lenient when it allowed some of the militants to rest on the lawn close to the gate of the embassy.

鈥淲e are not necessarily lenient. We are just doing our job,鈥� Barto said. RC