Faeldon: Filipinos unite to defend Spratlys

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Former Philippine Navy Captain Nicanor Faeldon, one of the alleged leaders of the Oakwood mutiny in Makati City on July 27, 2003, called on the citizenry to unite to be able to defend Spratlys islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Faeldon told DyTR’s in a recent interview that China, which already reclaimed seven islands of Kalayaan town off Palawan, would find it hard to bully the Philippines if 100 million Filipinos are united.

He cited Vietnam as an example of unity and not only their officials whom China must deal with, but the people themselves. A united citizenry is necessary to come with a strong stand against China and to defend our territories, he said.

Faeldon issued the call for unity during the “Freedom Caravan,” a nationwide advocacy of his group dubbed as “Kalayaan Atin Ito,” which aimed to raise public awareness on issues over the West Philippine Sea.

Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in his letter to Patricia Licuanan, chair of the Commission on Higher Education, also said the Kalayaan Atin Ito group would gather support from Filipinos to speak “in one voice” to the international community and send a strong message to China to stop its encroachment into Philippine territory.

Kakilala said: “With these noble objectives, the Civil Relations Service of the AFP strongly supports Kalayaan Atin Ito,” which is conducting the “Freedom Caravan” nationwide.

The group reached Bohol recently and was allowed by CHED to conduct such campaign in schools, like what it did at the Bohol Island State University in this city.

CHED has endorsed the group to conduct the information drive on the Spratlys issue and to allow students to attend and participate during the forums, but emphasized that the participation by students and school officials “shall be voluntary.”

Faeldon also denied there were politicians supporting his group but admitted that the campaign has been in coordination with other government agencies although no government funds were involved. — Ric V. Obedencio (FREEMAN)