Youth volunteers to hold 30-day peaceful protest on Spratlys

Youth volunteers who are planning a 20-day peace protest on the Philippine-claimed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) call for support for their endeavor. FRANCES MANGOSING/INQUIRER.net

Youth volunteers are planning to stage a one month peaceful protest on the Philippine-claimed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) later this month, and they are asking the public for support.

The youth volunteers, composed mostly of college students, held an information drive in 81 provinces from May to October. They have gathered 10,000 volunteers to join them in their protests from November 30 (Bonifacio Day) to December 30 (Rizal Day).

“We will need 81 boats to represent 81 provinces. So we will need your help,” said Mariel Ipan, a youth volunteer from Misamis Oriental in a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday.

“We are asking for transportation. We are calling for the owners of land, water, and air transportation to help us,” said Jervin Bendian of the University of Baguio.

Jasper Niel Cruz of the Philippine Normal University called for the support of food and water manufacturers so that they would have food and drinks for the 30 days of protest.

“Kaming mga kabataan ‘di kaya gastusan yung mga bagay na ito,” he said.

Not ambitious

Former Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, a volunteer of the group, said that it will cost almost P1 billion if there won’t be enough contributions.

“We won’t cook, but we will have MRE (meals ready to eat). If we help one another, it’s very easy,” he said.

Faeldon, who once decried the alleged corruption under the Arroyo administration, emphasized that no government funds we will be used.

“If that’s the case, it will be like as if we are mercenaries of the government,” he said.

The former marine captain also believed that their project is not ambitious.

“It’s a challenge for the entire nation that shows how ready this country in addressing a call for this,” he said.

“It is not too ambitious for 100 million Filipinos if we join hands together and make this work,” he said.

Faeldon also clarified that they are not doing the protest to provoke China.

“We are not doing this to make China see it… What we are trying to here is to make the whole world see our resolve as a nation, our unity as a nation. We have to make something that will make any country admire us as a nation,” he said.

Fun run

The group will also hold a fun run on Sunday, Nov. 8 in Luneta ahead of the protest.

“Naniniwala kami na magbubukas ito sa puso at isipan na samahan tayo sa paninidigang ito,” said Marie Carolaine Famero of UP Diliman.

The Philippines occupies nine areas in the Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea: Ayungin Shoal, Pagasa (Thitu) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Parola (Northeast Cay) Island, Patag (Flat) Island, Kota (Loaita) Island, Rizal (Commodore) Reef, Likas (West York) Island, and Panata (Lankiam Cay) Island.