‘Kalayaan 16’ feted as WPS ‘heroes’ after China ban

MANILA, Philippines — The town officials of Palawan’s Kalayaan municipality were given recognition by the Akbayan party list group and the Atin Ito Coalition on Tuesday for their strong pushback against China’s acts of aggression and the narrative it is forcing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute.

The local officials passed a resolution in January declaring Chinese Ambassador Jin Quang persona non grata over his criticism of Filipino officials defending Philippine sovereignty in the WPS.

In response, the Chinese Embassy banned them from entering China, Macau and Hong Kong.

‘Easy targets’

Akbayan and Atin Ito Coalition conferred the West Philippine Sea Heroes Award on the group collectively now known as “Kalayaan 16.” They are composed of town Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan, Vice Mayor Maurice Phillip Alexis Albayda, Councilor Francis Polizon, and 13 others.

Albayda and Polizon personally received the award presented by the three Akbayan representatives in Congress, namely Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula; party president and Atin Ito convener Rafaela David; and coconvener Ed dela Torre.

Ban only ‘backfired’

“As for what is happening right now, it cannot be denied that we, people with unknown names, simple people with simple lives, are easy targets for those bullies,” Albayda said in a press conference.

“But the Filipino people are behind us in our stand,” he said.

In August 2023, the Kalayaan town council also unanimously approved a resolution declaring Beijing’s ambassador to Manila at the time, Huang Xilian, persona non grata.

This was in protest over the China Coast Guard’s use of water cannons on a Philippine vessel in the West Philipppine Sea.

For David, China’s travel ban on the Kalayaan 16 had actually “backfired,” since the move proved to be an “effective recognition” of the authority of the Municipality of Kalayaan as an official government unit.

“Beijing’s intended intimidation has only strengthened our resolve,” David said. “The ban is a badge of honor.”

Pag-asa Island is the biggest feature of the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS. As the seat of government of the Kalayaan municipality, it is home to some 400 locals, troops, law enforcers, and civilian government personnel.

Pag-asa regularly sees the presence of Chinese ships in the country’s territorial waters.

Be more supportive

During Tuesday’s awarding, Atin Ito called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to end its “closed-door diplomacy” in addressing tensions in the WPS.

It also urged the Marcos administration to publicly support Filipino officials confronting China.

David said Filipinos like the Kalayaan 16 should not be dismissed as “casual commentators” on maritime disputes and authorities should take a firmer public stance in defending front-line communities.

“Ordinary Filipinos are at the front lines of our defense of the West Philippine Sea. It takes extraordinary courage for a small country like the Philippines to stand up to an imperial power like China,” she added.

DFA on ‘job losses’

Meanwhile, the DFA on Monday took issue with the Chinese Embassy’s warning last week that “millions of jobs’’ in the country are at risk if diplomatic tensions continue.

The remarks, the DFA said, may be “perceived as coercive” and could undermine future dialogue.

While affirming that cooperation with all countries brings economic and cultural benefits, the DFA took “strong exception” to any suggestion that such engagement could be withheld as leverage.

It also urged the Chinese Embassy to adopt a “responsible and measured tone” in public exchanges.

The agency said it remains committed to diplomacy to stabilize and advance bilateral relations despite “profound differences.” —With a report from Gabryelle Dumalag