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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider PADER to lead nationwide protests in Manila over WPS dispute

PADER to lead nationwide protests in Manila over WPS dispute

Published Jun 8, 2025 05:52 pm

At A Glance

  • PADER will stage demonstrations at Mendiola and outside the Chinese Embassy in Makati City, while ABKD and FDNY will hold simultaneous rallies in front of the Department of National Defense (DND) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.
The Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Reform (PADER) announced it will lead nationwide protest actions in response to China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The protest campaign, organized in coordination with allied nationalist groups Alyansa ng Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD) and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY)-Movement, is set to include mass mobilizations at key locations.
PADER will stage demonstrations at Mendiola and outside the Chinese Embassy in Makati City, while ABKD and FDNY will hold simultaneous rallies in front of the Department of National Defense (DND) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.
The coordinated actions are being held to amplify public outrage over China's repeated acts of intimidation against the Philippines in the WPS, and to show strong support for Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro following his firm stance at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 1.
Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, who represents thousands of members across the three organizations, condemned what he described as "veiled bullying" by high-ranking Chinese military officials during the annual security forum. The remarks were directed at Secretary Teodoro in what many saw as an attempt to provoke the Philippines.
Goitia said Secretary Teodoro responded with integrity and clarity, refusing to be baited into a hostile reaction.
He added that his remarks earned the respect of those present and represented the voice of a sovereign nation that refuses to back down,” Goitia said.
He further emphasized that the Philippines’ maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was signed in 1982, must be respected by all parties.
“We fully support Secretary Teodoro’s statement that, while the Philippines is part of ASEAN, it remains a sovereign country that will not compromise its territorial integrity,” he added.
Goitia noted that the groups have long stood against China’s assertive and often aggressive tactics in the region, particularly the harassment of Filipino fishermen, the use of water cannons, laser targeting, and other threatening actions by the Chinese Coast Guard.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore, serves as a critical platform for defense and security leaders in the Asia-Pacific. This year’s forum highlighted the escalating maritime disputes in the South China Sea, where the Philippines remains at the forefront of calls for international law and regional stability.

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