By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — The progressive party-list Bayan Muna is protesting China’s excursions in Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, saying China should order its vessels to leave the area and stop harassing Filipino fishermen.
Bayan Muna Representatives Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares have filed House Resolution 2330 assailing China for its latest incursions and investigating the failure of government to assert the country’s sovereignty and enforce illegal fishing laws against the Chinese fishermen.
On April 8, 2012 twelve Chinese fishing vessels were found in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, a triangle-shaped cluster of reefs and islands 137 miles (220 km) away from Palauig, Zambales. Found trespassing and illegally harvesting marine life in Philippine waters, the Chinese fishermen were to be arrested for poaching by Philippine authorities on board BRP Gregorio del Pilar. However, two surveillance vessels were sent by China to the area, ensuing a standoff as Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing’s talks to resolve the matter was similarly left at an impasse;
Photographs released by the Philippine Navy showed Chinese fishermen standing on top of their catch, mostly giant clam shells. Corals and live sharks were also photographed. On April 11, BRP Gregorio del Pilar withdrew from Panatag Shoal, supposedly for fueling and reprovisioning, as another Chinese ship entered.
In the following days, Del Rosario said he had told Ambassador Ma that the government will allow the fishing vessels to return to China “following the confiscation of their harvest of endangered species by our authorities.” For his part, Ma said they would need to subject the boats to their own inspection.
On April 13, the fishing boats and a surveillance ship freely left the disputed area without the confiscation of the large amount of illegal catch.
“The Chinese hardened their position and Beijing is now insisting that Panatag shoal belongs to them. We also do not want to go to war, but we must assert our sovereignty, through whatever means we can. The Chinese might be bullying us but we must stand our ground. We must have our dignity as a nation intact; it is with this that our ASEAN friends and the international community will see that we are on a moral and righteous high ground and come to our aid,” Casino said.
He cautioned, however, against bringing in the United States into the conflict. “This matter is best settled between China and the Philippines through diplomatic means and using the international conventions. We do not need another bully like the US in our backyard.”
The lawmaker said that besides bringing the matter to the attention of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the Aquino administration, including Congress, should also assert the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea which was signed in 2002 by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China aimed at easing tensions in the region and serving as a foundation for future negotiations.
“There is also a need to explore possible solutions to the continued infringement of Philippine territory, especially those that may require legislation or even diplomatic initiatives involving members of the legislative branch. Though at the same time we must we make it clear to the Chinese government that we will not take this sitting down and they should expect protest actions against them,” Casiño said.
In the meantime, other patriotic organizations have pointed out that there should be no question on the territorial claim of the Philippines on the Panatag Shoal which is located within the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Based on Unclos, the coastal state has “sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters” 200 nautical miles from its coast. The coastal state will also have jurisdiction over “the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations and structures; marine scientific research; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment.
“The actions of China are the latest in a series of blatant infringements on Philippine territory targeting our rich marine, mineral and energy deposits. At the minimum, Aquino should demand that China order its fishermen to return their illegal catch, in accordance with the provisions of the UNCLOS. If China is serious in de-escalating the situation they should admit their mistake, return the illegal catch to Philippine authorities as a sign of good will, and respect the Philippines’ authority over the area as provided by local and international laws,” said Casino. 
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I am not convinced why the Philippine government got no corresponding action against the continued incursion of China on Philippine territory. It is a clear insult to the Filipino people if our government is not strong enough to suppress their illegal claims and exercise the right as mandated by law.
BOYCOTT CHINESE PRODUCTS!
ITS THE MOST ECONOMICAL WAY TO SAY KEEP OUT!
To the people of the world, I call for the spirit of the innate-vigilance in every soul that reads this article to be with us; Pilipinos. This time, i will ask not of your financial support for armory or charity as what our pity politicians does. I do not ask for your physical support or presence in any global protest my countrymen is cooking in every state of your country. I am here to ask for the greatest, most noble, creative and diplomatic way of living a “china-free” life. All things in the world is practically made in china, it is their power over us. We are at an economic war against the greatest tyrant ever. an old friend which use to sell us goods and services dating back so long ago that their ancient emperors will be awakened of this abomination they’ve created.
We have to act now or else, every china product you buy will be paying for the very bullets that will punch a hole in the head of my countrymen including our siblings’, parents’ and children’ when war arises. I humbly know that we Pilipinos are economically weak, my people has their spirit broken by poverty and false sovereignty; but it doesn’t mean that we cannot call for a global support and warn everybody else of the possible things that may happen. as you see, if the Chinese government can do it to us, then they can do it to your country as well. Since I cannot go to the streets to protest. i’ll endure from consuming and buying chinese-labeled foods from supermarkets and won’t even buy from their local chinese merchants here even just for gift purposes (chinatown, divisoria, tutuban & etc). if all pinoys, or those at hearts and compassionate to this call (FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE) will sacrifice by eating locally produced foods and buy local products, we will not just maintain the money (foreign reserves, gold reserves) within our circulation, we can also show the world that its possible to boycott the fruits of their labor. by such, their government will significantly feel the punch.
compute how much things you have in your house that is made in china and realise how generous you have been to them. its time to stop supporting them. remember, their power comes from every reserves our central bank pays the IMF for the products and services we acquire from them. i know its hard to do for now, but you will find it easier as time goes by.
Lets do our own best ways to be financially, economically and patriotically responsible for our country. a substantial local boycott of these chinese imports may not only weaken their economy but will let their own kind (the chinese expats) express their financial woes to their government. Even if china controls 97% of rare earth market, it doesn’t change the fact that china isn’t the world. even the greatest oppressors has been tumbled by the majority. it is historically proven and it all happened because of simple individual belief and faith. faith and belief so individually weak like a strand of stick in a bunch of sweeper, but strong enough to sweep a land of dirt if combined. have you not learned how the people has won over the country from the late dictator? its not because of people power in edsa, its just a visual and final demonstration. its because of the people’s voluntary boycott to his cronies and business allies which had the voice to command the rise and fall of a ruler. i have revised this for so many times because your support and those with you counts. you are an important part of the sweeper we want to create to clean the world of these corrupt power trippers.
Hence,
1.) They (chinese expats & businessmen) will be heard because of our boycott.
-these are politically influential people which voices can crumble or build governments.
-Our purchases may be statistically insignificant for them but if we convice everybody and the world to stop patronizing their produces then it will be a powerful spear that may pierce their ambitious flight. they have soared with their belief, only our belief and faith can decide their fate.
2.) Our Central Bank Reserves will rise.
-due to smaller imports to pay with gold or foreign reserve
3.) We’ll have a better credit standing in IMF
-HIgher budget for armory due to higher Bank Reserves that will avail us more defense.
4.) We buy local products which will help the majority of producers.
-Supermarkets has cheaper produces compared to the local market but i prefer to buy in local market because the profit goes to those who needs my money; not for the benefit of the complicated graphical lines defined by PSE
5.) We will be free from consumerism that has long withheld our ancestors.
-You think you need chinese products? look better around and see the most creative of ways to live a chinese-free-life. consumerism blinds you; it makes you think you need the things you actually want. believe me, im prvately hired by companies to produce schemes to market their products.
6.) They will realise the toll of threatening their cash cows.
-hence, will think twice nextime
-Karat Chef
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