Military keeping eye on young protesters on Pagasa island

Members of ‘Kalayaan Atin Ito’ camp out on the beach of Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea to assert Filipino ownership of the territory which is being claimed by China. FROM KALAYAAN ATIN ITO FACEBOOK PAGE

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday that it would monitor the group of young protesters camping out on the Philippine island of Pagasa in the West Philippine Sea, which is being claimed by China.

“We earnestly pray for their safety and will continue to monitor their movement so we can provide much needed assistance should the situation call for it,” AFP spokespeson Colonel Restituto Padilla said.

The group “Kalayaan Atin Ito” reached Pagasa (Thitu) island on Saturday after leaving Puerto Princesa on Thursday, despite the lack of support from the government and the military due to security and safety reasons.

The voyagers consisted of 47 persons, mostly young people, who were joined by former-Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon.

“As the government said, we laud the patriotism of our youth and salute them for their desire to contribute to our national cause. However, despite the AFP’s appeal to the group to cancel their trip due to the risks involved and the recommendation for more productive alternative activities, they insisted to continue on with their trip,” Padilla said.

The group, which called their trip a “patriotic voyage,” said it aimed to stand up to China’s sweeping expansion in the disputed territory. China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.