“Bumusina! West Philippine Sea is Real!” Akbayan Partylist today turned East Avenue, Quezon City, into a sea of solidarity as motorists honked their horns in support of Filipino fishers and frontliners in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Waving banners that read “Honk Your Horns! West PH Sea is Real!,” Akbayan called on Filipinos to reject politicians spreading fake narratives about the WPS.
“Totoo ang West Philippine Sea. Kasing totoo ito ng pagsikat at paglubog ng araw, kasing linaw ito ng dagat sa ating exclusive economic zone,” said Akbayan Partylist President Rafaela David.
David criticized the recent statements by Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who mocked the existence of the WPS, and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who has suddenly adopted a pro-WPS stance despite his history of aligning with the Duterte administration’s pro-China policy. “Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi chismis, pero ang mga pro-China na politiko, ay certified Marites, traydor at fake news peddlers ng Beijing!”
As co-convenor of Atin Ito, the civil society coalition behind two historic civilian-led supply missions to the West Philippine Sea, David also issued a stern warning against turncoat politicians who suddenly adopt pro-WPS rhetoric for electoral gain. “Talk is cheap. True patriotism is measured by action and consistency. Noong nakaraang administrasyon, tiniklop nila ang ating watawat para sumipsip sa China. Ngayon, biglang maka-West Philippine Sea kuno. Huwag tayo magpaloko! Tingnan natin ang gawa, hindi ang bola.”
Akbayan called on voters to elect a strong “West Philippine Sea Bloc” in Congress and local governments to counter pro-China politicians who have eroded the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Para hindi lalong mapasok ang ating pamahalaan ng mga traydor, dapat may malakas na bloke sa kongreso, senado, at lokal na pamahalaan para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng ating mga mangingisda at frontliners sa West Philippine Sea,” David said.
Akbayan vowed to make the West Philippine Sea and the rights of fishers and frontliners a top electoral issue. “Ang West Philippine Sea ay laban ng bawat Pilipino. Mahal natin ang bansa. Kaya aakbayan natin ang mga mangingisda at frontliners ng West Philippine Sea. Dahil walang duda, atin ito!” David concluded.