The Alyansa Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD) conducted a peace rally in Manila on Monday, June 17, to call Filipinos their rights in the contested West Philippine Sea (WPS).
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In a report by RH Boy Gonzales, RJ Villena, ABKD Spokesperson, said their call is to support the programs and policies of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the issue of WPS.
They insisted that every Filipino should emulate the stance of Marcos who stood up against all the harassment, bullying and intimidation by the China Coast Guard in the Philippine waters.
"Pinasasalamatan natin partikular po ang Philippine Coast Guard sa pagpapadala po ng dalawang barko para protektahan ang ating mga mangingisda doon," Villena said.
(We especially thank the Philippine Coast Guard for sending two ships to protect our fishermen there.)
"Isa lang po ang katotohan, nasa loob po ng 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EZEZ) ang West Philippine Sea at ito ang ipinaglalaban natin," he added.
(There is only one truth, the West Philippine Sea is within the 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EZEZ) and this is what we are fighting for.)
Villena further said they condemn China's illegal implementation of regulation or policy in the WPS especially as it is against international law.
According to Gonzales' report, more than 300 member of ABKD joined the protest.
They gathered on España Blvd. and marched to Mendiola, but the police did not allow them until Morayta, where they held the program.
