Photo from Bayan Muna
MANILA, Philippines – Members of the House of Representatives’ Makabayan bloc and other militant groups staged a protest action in front of the Chinese Consulate Office in Makati on Friday.
Photo from Bayan Muna
According to the protesters, the rally is part of a celebration of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) decision in 2016, which rules that China’s nine-dash line claim — encompassing most of the West Philippine Sea and the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) — has no legal and historical basis.
Photo from Bayan Muna
Aside from the PCA ruling, the protesters are also asking the Asian superpower to respect the rights of Filipino fishermen, after a Chinese vessel smashed and sank a local fishing boat in Recto Bank on June 9. After the collision, the Chinese boat opted to leave the 22 fishermen afloat at sea. /jpv
Photo from Bayan Muna
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