Akbayan Party today stormed the Chinese Consulate Office in Makati in response to the series of military incursions by the Chinese government in territories claimed by the Philippines in the Western Philippine Sea in the past few months.
Akbayan Representative Walden Bello who led the protest denounced the provocative acts of the Chinese government, which he described as blatant bullying. The progressive legislator also reminded the Chinese government of its commitment to pursue the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Western Philippine Sea through diplomatic means.
“There are already diplomatic and civilized parameters by which claimant countries can resolve the conflict as laid down in the Declaration. However, the provocative actions of the Chinese government in using its military might to stake its claim over the area are already tantamount to bullying and a sign of disrespect for the Declaration,” Bello said.
Bello pointed to the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea” signed by the heads of States of all ASEAN member countries and the President of the People’s Republic of China in November 4, 2002 to guide the conduct on peacefully resolving disputes in the Area.