ꪆৎ :
I have seen what is happening in our country, the Philippines. I see how the China Coast Guard continues to harass, block, and harm our people who protect and guard our Philippine waters. Our fisherfolk and Coast Guard are kept from what is rightfully ours — waters and resources that our ancestors have tended to for generations.
Why will China not accept the ruling of the international court?
On July 12, 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ruled clearly and legally: China’s broad claims — marked by the so-called nine-dash line — have no legal basis under international law. The tribunal confirmed that areas such as Ayungin Shoal, Mischief Reef, and Scarborough Shoal lie well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — up to 200 nautical miles from our shores — where we hold sovereign rights over all resources, living and nonliving. This ruling is final, binding, and cannot be ignored. Yet to this day, China continues to interfere, harass our vessels, use water cannons, and even physically assault our personnel — actions that the tribunal already declared illegal.
Why does this happen?
Many in China may not fully know the truth. The Philippines is blessed with rich natural resources — seas, minerals, and fertile lands — yet many of our people remain poor. Why? Because of corruption, mismanagement, and deep-seated inequality. Millions of Filipino children still cannot afford school; around 2.8 million school-aged youth remain out of school, and only a small fraction of our poorest families can afford college. Poverty traps us — not lack of ability, but lack of fair access and opportunity. Many Filipinos want to contribute, to build, and to serve — but we are held back not by our own weakness, but by systems that fail us.
And then there is the disrespect.
Some in China have mocked Filipinos — calling us “monkeys,” making racist videos, bullying us, and shouting that we are “ugly” or “lesser.” I ask you: are we not human too? We may look different — our faces, our features may not match yours — but inside, we are the same. We feel pain, we love our families, we hope for peace
2026-07-30 13:48:37