Filipinos are being oppressed in Scarborough Shoal dispute

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin

MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Wednesday called on Filipinos to support the Philipines’ stand on Panatag or the Scarborough Shoal, the disputed waters between China and Philippines.

“Kinakailangan lang talagang malaman ng mga tao na itong ginagawa ng gobyerno ay para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino so that kinakailangang tumulong ang mga tao upang sa ganun malaman ng buong mundo na tayo ay naaapi (We need to inform the public that what we’re doing is for the welfare of [our fellow] Filipinos and we need to help each other so the world will know we’re the ones being oppressed [by the Chinese],” he told reporters in a phone interview.

Gazmin said the support is a way of showing love for country.

The Philippines has reiterated its claim over Panatag Shoal, saying it was located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales, which is within the 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone.

Responding to alleged claims that the Philippines is the one oppressing China, Gazmin said in Filipino, “How would an ant oppress an elephant?”