Activists and citizen groups are gearing up for a large rally on June 12听to condemn the recent actions by China regarding its claim over disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and the alleged military presence of the United States in the country.
The Independence Day rally, which has the theme 鈥淗ands Off the Philippines,鈥� will be led by former senator Rene Saguisag, actress Bibeth Orteza and Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares. They听said that the acts of US and China 鈥渃onstitute听real and serious threats to听Philippine听sovereignty and territorial integrity.鈥�
鈥淭he US, as lone听superpower, and China as a fast rising regional power,听have no qualms riding roughshod over听the Philippines听to advance听their economic and听geopolitical-military interests in the region,鈥� the organizers of the rally said in a statement.
They said that Filipinos should be united in defending the country.
鈥淭he US听and China听connive听and compete听with听one听another to impose their dominance听over the region.听This situation demands听a united and visible response from our people,鈥� the statement read.
READ: US-China exchange highlights tension over disputed sea
The activists also urged the government to craft an 鈥渋ndependent foreign policy鈥� which does not lean on the interests of the two global powers.
鈥淥rdinary citizens听need to be听involved in defending our land and seas听and in pursuing a truly independent foreign policy that neither bows to China鈥檚 bullying nor kowtows to US听imposition,鈥� it added.
The 鈥淗ands Off Philippines鈥� rally will begin with a mobilization in front of the Chinese embassy in Makati City at 9 a.m. then will proceed to US embassy听at 11 a.m.
China has made the headlines recently after its navy warned off a US surveillance plane flying over the Fiery Cross Reef in the West Philippine Sea, where it conducted massive reclamation work.
READ: 鈥楪o away,鈥� China tells US spy plane in West PH Sea 鈥� report
On Tuesday, China鈥檚 Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun downplayed the criticisms of US and other claimants who said that the rising superpower is sowing tension听in the region.
READ: China鈥檚 army plays down South China Sea island-building
Yujun said that its construction activities in the disputed islands 鈥渁re no different from other construction activities in the country.鈥� IDL听