10th Anniversary of RP’s Arbitral Victory in WPS

By Oggie Medina

People from fisherfolk communities joined supporters gathered July 12, Sunday, at the tomb of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Philippines’ landmark arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea.

Among those who joined were Kiko Aquino Dee, Lorenzo Tañada, Kim Henares, Dr. Patricia Licuanan, Teresita Deles, Volt Bohol, fisherfolk leader Restituto del Rosario with fishermen Rey Miranda and Tirso Atiga, Ramon Balang, Brainard “Jojo” Roxas, and members of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) and Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation in paying their respects to the late former President Benigno Aquino III’s firm leadership in pursuing the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration. His administration chose to uphold international law and stand firm in defending the sovereign rights.

The Mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Joseph Patrick Echevarria, SJ, who was assigned in the Loyola College of Culion in Palawan and lived among fishing communities that experienced firsthand the effects of China’s encroachment into Philippine waters.