‘The Philippines is ours, China out’: Filipino activists slam Sino-US rivalry in country’s maritime zone

Activists slam President Marcos Jnr for allowing the US to use Philippine military facilities, and call for a ‘demilitarised zone’ for local fishermen to fish peacefully

The Philippines needs to have an independent foreign policy and not resolve conflict ‘through warships’, activists add

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Protesters hold signs calling for the demilitarisation of the West Philippine Sea during a rally in Metro Manila, the Philippines, on Tuesday. Photo: Raissa Robles

Published: 9:00pm, 9 Apr 2024

Hundreds of Filipino activists protested against China and the United States on Tuesday, condemning both countries for waging their rivalry within the Philippines’ maritime territory in the South China Sea.

The protesters, who gathered near the Chinese consulate in Metro Manila, chanted “the Philippines is ours, China out” as they also slammed the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr for giving the US the right to use Philippine military facilities.

They urged Marcos Jnr to turn the West Philippine Sea – Manila’s term for the waters of the South China Sea located within and outside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) it considers its maritime territory – into a “demilitarised zone” where local fishermen could fish peacefully.

A Filipino activist holds a placard during a protest condemning China’s actions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, outside the Chinese consulate in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Vice-President Sara Duterte was also not spared, after she declined to comment on the use of water cannons by Chinese vessels to block Philippine ships on a mission to resupply Philippine troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Tuesday’s rally, which took place in Metro Manila’s financial district of Makati City, was held to coincide with the Day of Valour, which commemorates the day when the provinces of Bataan and Corregidor fell to Japanese invaders 82 years ago.

The protest was organised by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance), an alliance of left-wing Philippine groups.

Policemen with riot shields, truncheons and walkie-talkies parked vehicles on one lane of the avenue to prevent activists from gathering in front of the Chinese consulate and tried to turn them away, saying they lacked a permit to rally.