SF Fil-Ams stage protest on 8th year of arbitral ruling in West Philippine Sea | ABS-CBN

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SF Fil-Ams stage protest on 8th year of arbitral ruling in West Philippine Sea

SF Fil-Ams stage protest on 8th year of arbitral ruling in West Philippine Sea

ABS-CBN News,

Henni Espinosa | TFC News San Francisco

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Filipino-American activists in San Francisco staged a protest outside the Chinese consulate on the eighth anniversary of the arbitral ruling in the West Philippine Sea.

The landmark decision by the Hague tribunal in 2016 invalidated Beijing's sweeping claims in Philippine waters.

The protesters condemned China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea. They also criticized its expansionist policy in Asia.

"If we don’t say anything, if we don’t protest, essentially that means we’re giving in to the illegal occupation of China," said Ago Pedalizo of the Filipino American Human Rights Alliance. "This is not an all-out, one-day occupation. This has been happening for years."

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Fil-Am leaders also remembered how their fight on the West Philippine Sea issue began in 2011 and how they have not stopped advocating for it since.

"That was when we learned about what China was planning to do by developing one of the biggest oil rigs that they were going to bring over to the West Philippine Sea," said Rodel Rodis of the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance.

He added: "They (China) cannot take the oil that they would take from the West Philippine Sea. The oil would be more than enough to provide the needs of the Philippines."

Protesters also demanded for China to stop its illegal patrols, water cannon attacks, and other forms of harassment against Filipino vessels.

They also want China to stop disrupting the livelihood of Filipino fishermen in the area.

"China, we are serving notice to you," said Rad Abarrientos of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea. "No violating of international law. Get out of the West Philippine Sea because we will not rest. We will be here every year."

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