Pagtatanggal ng gawang China na globo sa mga bookstore, pinuri ng gobyerno

MANILA, Philippines – Ikinatuwa ng gobyerno ang pagtatanggal ng mga gawang China na globo sa istante ng nangungunang bookstores, at school at office supplies retailers sa bansa.

Sa isang liham para kay Cecilia Ramos Licauco, bise presidente para sa purchasing ng National Book Store Inc., sinabi ni Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario na kahit si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III ay natuwa at ipinagmalaki ang ginawa ng bookstore na pagpapakita ng pagkamakabayan.

 "As a major provider of educational products in the Philippines, National Book Store plays a valuable role in enriching the knowledge of young Filipinos. I was highly encouraged by your management's decision to withdraw the China-manufactured educational globes from your retail stores following our discussion on the misinformation contained in these globes on China's contentious nine-dash line encompassing virtually the entire West Philippine Sea. Your resolve in immediately implementing this decision reflected your company's strong sense of nationalism and above economic profit," nakasaad sa liham ni Del Rosario na may petsang Pebrero 15, 2013.

Sinabi din ng hepe ng DFA kay Licauco na ang arbitral proceedings na sinimulan ng Pilipinas kontra China dahil sa nine-dash line ay pumasok na sa "critical juncture."

"It is vital that the Filipino people stand in unity to defend 'what is ours' on accordance with the Philippine Constitution. I believe that National Book Stores' example will inspire Filipinos to express their patriotism in their own individual capacities," dagdag ni Del Rosario.

Ipinapakita sa globo na parte ng Beijing ang malaking bahagi ng South China Sea o ang West Philippine Sea.