Groups rally vs China's WPS incursions on Independence Day

On the country's 126th Independence Day, several groups staged protests to object to the aggression of China in the West Philippine Sea, as well as the “interventions” of the United States to the Philippines.

The Bunyog Pagkakaisa Party flocked in front of a building in Makati City which houses the Chinese Embassy, based on a Balitanghali report of Ian Cruz.

The group said the Philippines should insist on its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, considering that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague already ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

According to the protesters, China is disrespecting this decision as they continue to harass Filipino fishermen and attack Philippine vessels in the maritime region.

The group also called for the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte for keeping silent amid the aggression of China in the WPS.

Bunyog further said that the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) should be allowed entry into the Philippines to give justice to the victims of the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

The rallyists also dispersed after their program, with the Makati police and barangay officials keeping an eye on them.

Manila

In Manila meanwhile, some groups also marched along Roxas Boulevard to the US Embassy to protest against the "political and military interventions" of the United States, which they said are being permitted by the Marcos administration.

Police were deployed to ensure security in the area.

FLASH REPORT: Mga militante, nagmamartsa kontra kahirapan patungong Mendiola sa Maynila. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/1sxA9haq0N

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 12, 2024

A portion of the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard was also closed to motorists due to the rally.

FLASH REPORT: BAYAN at ilan pang mga militanteng grupo, nagsagawa ng lightning rally sa bahagi ng Museong Pambata ngayong Independence Day. | via Mao dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/50E6WVwM3X

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 12, 2024

—Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News