Connect with us

Headline

Military official bars youth group from traveling to Kalayaan Islands

Published

on

 

(Photo courtesy of Kalayaan, Palawan website)

(Photo courtesy of Kalayaan, Palawan website)

 

Members of a youth group were prohibited by military personnel to travel to the Kalayaan Islands in Palawan, an archipelago claimed by China.

Members of Kalayaan Atin Ito movement hoped to embark on a journey to the Kalayaan Island on Nov. 30 to protest China’s bullying over the disputed West Philippine Sea but were forbidden by the Western Command (Wescom) in Puerto Princesa City.

In a meeting with Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez of Wescom, Kalayaan Atin Ito member were told not to continue their plans on journeying to the Kalayaan Islands as “it will anger China.”

“Personally, I am not in favor of that… we endanger unnecessarily the lives of the participants. What they will do is unnecessary risk,” Lopes told the        Philippines Star in an earlier statement.

“They do not know how treacherous the sea condition is right now. If ever they will do that, they are ill-advised,” he added.

Mariel Ipan, a student volunteer for the Kalayaan Atin Ito movement said that Lopez’ statement was “irresponsible,”

“I am assuming this is just your personal knee-jerk and irresponsible statement and not an official statement (of the military),” Ipan was quoted as saying in the same report.

Lopez praised Ret. Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban who said in 2013 that he, along with his troops, would combat the Chinese even if they only had bolos. Ipan said that Lopez should  do the same.

“Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, now that it is your term, seven artificial reefs were made by China in the coast of Palawan,” Ipan said in the same report.

“You might want to explain to us youth, who are ready to sail and fight for the territory that was taken by China, as to why this has happened while you were the chief before you stop us from sailing in order to fight for our independence,” Ipan added.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle2 weeks ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...

Lifestyle3 weeks ago

Family Estrangement: Why It’s Okay

Family estrangement is the absence of a previously long-standing relationship between family members via emotional or physical distancing to the...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

Ageing Gratefully and Joyfully

My 56th trip around the sun is just around the corner! Whew. Wow. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

7 Creative Ways to Propose!

Sometime in April 2022, my significant other gave me a heads up: he will be proposing to me on May...