Solon: Long neglected Pinoys on Spratlys need help

Some 200 Filipinos living on a portion of the controversial Spratly Islands have been “long neglected" and need assistance especially in terms of defense and economic infrastructure, a lawmaker who visited the area recently said. Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said the military capabilities at the Kalayaan Islands – a part of the Spratlys being claimed by the Philippines – need to be upgraded. “We have long neglected our Naval forces and now that we have the West Philippine Sea conflict, it is important to upgrade our military capabilities there," he told GMA News Online in a phone interview Wednesday night. Bello and three other congressmen flew to the Pag-asa Island on Wednesday morning, supposedly to support the Philippine government’s territorial claim over the area. The lawmakers proceeded with the trip despite opposition from the Chinese government and the House leadership. The party-list congressman said their contingent donated a new Philippine flag and raised it in the area to signify that it is Philippine territory. The Spratlys, a group of islets in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits, are being claimed in whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. Medical, social help Bello said the residents of the island, which is a part of Palawan province, also need medical assistance. “They have no medical personnel. If somebody gets really sick, they have to ride a boat for 10 days to and from the island to get to mainland Palawan," he said. The island also does not have any elementary school for the children there, he added. The lawmaker likewise said that resident need a good harbor to encourage the rise of economic activities there. “When the budget process comes, we will find ways to release funds so that we can have fishing infrastructure there," he said. Bello further said that their trip “should be a lesson to China" to “respect the separation of powers in the Philippines." “The Chinese should stop bullying us. Their opposition to our visit here was a case of immature diplomacy. I expected more from them," he said. Chinese Embassy in Manila spokesperson Ethan Sun earlier said that the lawmakers' visit “goes against the spirit" of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties to the South China Sea. — LBG, GMA News