Labor group backs review of Philippines-China ties
Credit to Author: Mayen Jaymalin| Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — The labor group Federation of Free Workers (FFW) is backing calls for a thorough examination of the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with China.
FFW denounced the recent statements by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, accusing the Philippines of trespassing on Chinese territory in the West Philippine Sea.
“Such disregard for the Filipino nation and international legal processes must not go unanswered,” the group appealed to President Marcos.
The FFW also expressed support for Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ call for a United Nations resolution to enforce China’s compliance with the arbitral award.
“We join her in the plea to utilize all diplomatic means to reaffirm the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea, a position reinforced by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016,” it said.
The labor group described as disrespectful China’s claim that the Philippines’ historic arbitral court victory was “masterminded” by the US.
It cited the landmark case of the Republic of Nicaragua v. The United States of America in 1986.
Nicaragua stood up against a global superpower, the FFW said, securing a victory and compensation through diplomatic means, due to international peer pressure in the UN General Assembly and the weight of international public opinion.
“Of course, China did not influence Nicaragua to lodge its case against the US before the International Court of Justice, a case which Nicaragua ultimately won. As it appears, the Chinese spokesperson seems to be operating in an ethereal world, potentially misleading the public with their statements,” the FFW noted.