THE civilian regatta of the Atin Ito Coalition that was supposed to be en route to Panatag Shoal Thursday has been a remarkable source of pride and an excellent display of Filipino patriotism, according to two lawmakers.
In the daily press briefing at the House of Representatives Thursday, Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” M. Abante Jr. and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong both said they were in awe of the sheer patriotism shown by the Filipino civilians who took part in the regatta.
Abante even went on to call on his fellow lawmakers to embark on the same journey to Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“I am actually inspired sa display ng patriotism ng ating mga citizens in doing this. In fact, inisip ko na rin, sana eh, I would like to invite some congressman to come with me to the West Philippine Sea,” Abante said.
“Ang daming sasama eh. Ang aking panalangin, sana walang anumang mangyaring masama sa kanila ano. This is a civilian regatta, sana naman irespeto naman to ng China. Palagay ko, dapat na tayong magalit sa ginagawa ng China sapagkat talagang hindi tama ‘yan (bullying),” he added
Adiong was also all praises for the citizens who organized and went on with the civilian regatta.
“Nagpupugay kami doon sa mga sibilyan na gumawa nito. It shows iyong malakas pa rin po iyong patriotism, iyong nationalism sa ating mga kababayan,” Adiong said.
He added that this also shows that many Filipinos support the position of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos in the WPS issue.
“Ito ay nagpapakita kung susuporta ng mga individual at ordinary na Pilipino sa posisyon ng ating administration, ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, na pinakita niya sa buong mundo kung ano iyong karapatan ng ating bansa over the WPS,” Adiong expressed.
“It speaks about civilian support at nakikiisa ang taongbayan sa ating Pangulo. Ito pong issue sa WPS … it is a civic duty for each and every one of us who call ourselves Filipino to support this administration in pushing for our rights over the WPS,” he added.
“Nagpapakita po ito na tama po iyong aming panawagan dito sa HOR na duon tayo po pumanig sa kapwa natin. Huwag po tayong pumanig sa dayuhan dahil duty po nating lahat ito,” Adiong said. “Hindi lang tayo binu-bully kundi, sa buong mundo, panggigipit na ginagawa nila. We are just being a pawn in the motive of China to control the international trade sapagkat more than 60% of all trades and fuel dumadaan doon,” Abante said.
