Riders Call for De-escalation and Demilitarization of the West Philippine Sea

In a unified call for peace and freedom, hundreds of motorcycle riders participated in a "Freedom Ride" on Independence Day, urging China to abandon its illegal claims over the entire West Philippine Sea (WPS). The riders also appealed to other superpowers to cease militarizing the already tense region.

 

The "Freedom Ride," organized by Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG), Riders Pilipinas, and Partido Manggagawa (PM), aimed to protest China's expansive claims over the South China Sea (SCS) and the WPS. The event also sought to promote peace amid escalating tensions between global powers.

 

Motorcycle riders from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales converged at their respective meeting points before heading to the beach area facing the West Philippine Sea in Candelaria, Zambales.

 

"We do not want the conflict in the West Philippine Sea to escalate into a war due to territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions between powerful nations. We seek freedom, justice, and peace in the area for Filipinos and neighboring countries with territorial claims in these waters," stated KAGULONG Secretary General Don Pangan.

 

KAGULONG emphasized that demilitarization is crucial for easing tensions and preventing conflict in these waters. However, China, the US, and other military powers like France, the UK, Australia, and Japan must commit to this effort to avoid military confrontations.

 

"Both China and the US-led military alliance should withdraw and refrain from militarizing these waters to allow our fishermen the freedom to fish, enable the Philippines to protect its sovereignty, and develop its exclusive economic zones independently, without bowing to foreign powers, whether they are new or former colonizers," added Pangan.

 

The group stressed the importance of transforming the region into a zone of peace and neutrality, rather than a battleground for superpowers.

 

KAGULONG President Robert Perillo explained that many motorcycle riders are engaged in delivery services, transporting both foreign and local products. Any disruption in trade, such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, affects them due to high fuel prices and economic instability.

 

Partido Manggagawa reminded the public of the Philippines' historical involvement in global wars, such as the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II, due to its colonization by Spain and the US, and occupation by Japan.

 

"War is a lose-lose proposition. Peace is easier for Filipinos to achieve than getting trapped into a war not of its own making," stated PM.

Kagulong

June 12, 2024

Media Advisory: All systems go for Freedom Ride tomorrow from Manila to Candelaria, Zambales

 MEDIA ADVISORY

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong

KAGULONG

11 June 2024

 

Request for Coverage

 

Tomorrow, the riders’ rights group, Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong or Kagulong, together with several riders clubs from NCR and Central Luzon along with other allied organizations, will be holding a “Freedom Ride” in time for the commemoration of Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2024.

The last meet up point of riders from NCR, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and from other towns of Zambales, around 9:00 AM, will be at the Zambales Capitol in Iba. After that they will drive towards the beach area of Brgy. Dampay in Candelaria for the main program.

 

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For inquiries you may contact Mr. Don Pangan @ 09687104349; Viber # 09176300034.  

See details below:

More riders joining “Freedom Ride” tomorrow

More motorcycle riders from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales are set to join the “Freedom Ride” tomorrow, Independence Day, to protest China's expansive claims over the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and to promote peace amid the escalating tension between the superpowers in the region.

 

Riders from Metro Manila will start hitting the road from Makati as early as midnight tonight to link up with riders from Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales at their respective meet up points.

 

The destination will be the town of Candelaria, Zambales, as the original plan of holding it in Masinloc did not materialize because the mayor refused to grant a permit for the event.

 

The “Freedom Ride” is organized by Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG), Riders Pilipinas, along with Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

“We do not want the conflict in the West Philippine Sea to escalate into a war due to geopolitical tensions between powerful nations. We seek freedom, justice, and peace in the area for Filipinos and neighboring countries with territorial claims in these waters,” stated Kagulong Secretary General Don Pangan.

 

Kagulong insists that demilitarization is the key to easing tensions and preventing war in these waters. However, both China and the US, along with other military powers like France, the UK, Australia, and Japan, must commit to this.

 

“Both China and the US-led military alliance should withdraw from these waters to allow our fishermen the freedom to fish, enable the Philippines to protect its sovereignty, and develop its exclusive economic zones independently, without bowing to foreign powers, whether they are new or former colonizers,” added Pangan.

 

He emphasized that it would be better for this region to become a zone of peace and neutrality, rather than a new battleground for super powers, which everyone fears.

 

Kagulong President Robert Perillo explained that many motorcycle riders are currently engaged in delivery services, transporting both foreign and local products. Any disruption in trade, such as the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, affects them due to high fuel prices and economic disruptions.

 

Partido Manggagawa on its part reminded the public of the Philippines' involuntary involvement in global wars such as the Spanish-American War and World War I, due to its long colonization by Spain and the US, and during World War II when Japan occupied the country.

 

“War is a lose-lose proposition. Peace is easier for Filipinos to achieve than getting trapped into a war not of its own making,” stated PM. 

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong

(KAGULONG)

June 11, 2024

Riders to Hold “Freedom Ride” on Independence Day

 

Motorcycle riders are set to conduct a “Freedom Ride” on Independence Day, June 12, 2024. This event is organized by Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG) in collaboration with various riders' groups from Central Luzon and the National Capital Region. Also joining are members of Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

Instead of heading to Masinloc, the riders from NCR, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales will proceed to Candelaria, as the Mayor of Masinloc did not grant a permit for the event.

 

More and more riders' clubs have expressed their intention to join the Freedom Ride to protest China's claims over the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS). These claims have negatively impacted the livelihoods of local fishermen and have heightened tensions due to the militarization of these waters, involving various foreign powers.

 

“We do not want the conflict in the West Philippine Sea to escalate into a war due to geopolitical tensions between powerful nations. We seek freedom, justice, and peace in the area for Filipinos and neighboring countries with territorial claims in these waters,” stated KAGULONG Secretary General Don Pangan.

 

KAGULONG insists that demilitarization is the key to easing tensions and preventing war in these waters. However, both China and the US, along with other military powers like France, the UK, Australia, and Japan, must commit to this.

 

“Both China and the US should withdraw from these waters to allow our fishermen the freedom to fish, enable the Philippines to protect its sovereignty, and develop its exclusive economic zones independently, without bowing to foreign powers, whether they are new or former colonizers,” added Pangan.

 

He emphasized that it would be better for this region to become a zone of peace and neutrality, rather than a new battleground, which everyone fears.

 

Kagulong President Robert Perillo explained that many motorcycle riders are currently engaged in delivery services, transporting both foreign and local products. Any disruption in trade, such as the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, affects them due to high fuel prices and trade delays.

 

Partido Manggagawa on its part reminded the public of the Philippines' involvement in imperialist wars like the Spanish-American War and World War I, due to its long colonization by Spain and the US, and during World War II when Japan occupied the country.

 

“Peace is easier for Filipinos to achieve than get trapped into a war not of its own making,” stated PM. 

Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG)

June 10, 2024

“War is violence against women”—feminist groups in the Philippines

 

On the first day of a 18-day global campaign to end violence against women, feminist groups in the Philippines highlighted the call for a permanent ceasefire as a step towards a permanent solution to the question of Palestine.

 

“War is violence against women. It is as clear as day in the ongoing hostage and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas that women are disproportionately victimized in war. The history of conflicts reveals this ugly truth. Thus, we call for a stop to the war in Palestine and elsewhere. And demand a just peace,” argued Judy Ann Miranda, secretary general of Partido Manggagawa (PM). PM is among the groups that participated in today’s activity.

 

A hundred women leaders from various organizations that comprise the World March of Women-Pilipinas marched to the grounds of the Commission of Human Rights today for a rousing and festive program to launch the violence against women campaign. Community assemblies in several working class areas in Metro Manila followed later in the day.

 

The launch of the campaign served as an opportunity for women to raise the urgent call for solidarity to the people of Palestine. In the statement released for the event, the World March of Women-Pilipinas, stated that “Israeli forces through persistent bombings on Palestinian communities, kill[ed] more than 14,000 Palestinians. Most hurt were women and children, as hospitals were also bombed. World March of Women members in Palestine were [also among those] attacked.”

 

“The so-called humanitarian pause should give way to a sustained ceasefire in both Gaza and the West Back. A permanent ceasefire then enables political negotiations to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine,” Miranda explained. The women’s groups’ call for solidarity with Palestine is part of a sustained advocacy by social movements, trade unions, human rights organizations and grassroots communities in the Philippines.

 

Next week, on November 30, which is a traditional day of mobilization for workers in the Philippines, trade unions along with other civil society groups will also underscore the demand for a permanent ceasefire and a stop to the genocide in Palestine. Today, a rally is being held in Manila by Muslim and Christian organizations together with progressive groups. The mobilization is billed as a march for peace and justice in Palestine.

 

All these solidarity actions build upon earlier activities by numerous organizations in different parts of the country, including in the southern island of Mindanao which has a substantial Muslim population. Among those actions was a rally outside the Catholic Church in Manila last November 4 which was a local response to the call by the International People’s Assembly for a global day of action for Palestine.

 

“The drums of war are beating so hard that they are not only deafening but are inciting harm and violence against women,” according to the World March of Women-Pilipinas. It added  that “Historically, women and children suffer the most during war in the form of hunger, sexual assault, physical violence including unjust imprisonment as hostages of warring parties, loss of home and of family members.”

 

Miranda averred that “Women also do not want to be caught in the middle of the US and China conflict. We call for a peaceful solution to the West Philippine Sea issue. Through negotiations among the claimants, we want to guarantee the right of fishers, Filipinos and other nationalities, to gainful livelihood in what should be treated as common fishing grounds.”

 

Tensions in the South China Sea are escalating with the United States forming various military alliances such as the Quad and the AUKUS in a bid to contain China and maintain control over the busy shipping lanes in the region. The Quad is an alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India while AUKUS unites Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

 

Recently the US has avowed that it will respond to an attack on Philippine ships in the disputed sea according to terms of a mutual defense treaty. Meanwhile, talks are ongoing for a visiting forces agreement with Japan.

 

The threats of war in the South China Sea has become a convenient pretext for an influx of the American soldiers and weapons to the Philippines. In 1991, US military bases in the country were kicked out in the culmination of a long struggle led by progressive movements to assert national sovereignty and an independent foreign policy. However, the war on terror opened the door for the return of the American military as so-called “visiting forces.”

 

The feminist groups recalled that prostitution and abuse of women and girls flourished around the sites of the former US military bases in the Philippines. Since the return of US troops in the country, they have been involved in two separate incidents involving the rape of a woman and the murder of a trans. All of the accused soldiers are now back in America after controversial decisions of acquittal or pardon.

November 25, 2023

Workers won’t support war despite US assurance under MDT

Photo from Rappler

 

Filipino workers will never support any war even with the renewed assurance that the US will go side-by-side with the Philippines as provided under the Mutual Defense Treaty, said Partido Manggagawa (PM) in a statement, following US Vice President Kamala Harris’ meeting with President Marcos last Monday, November 21.

 

“We are for demilitarization and de-escalation of war threats in the West Philippine Sea and other regional flashpoints,” declared PM Chair Renato Magtubo, stating that the endless warmongerings between the two superpowers on WPS and Taiwan disputes do not serve the interest of the working people.

 

Magtubo argued that in every imperialist war, only foot soldiers and workers die in battle while the emperors and their generals partake with the booty. In the case of the Philippines, a war in the region is to the delight of giants whose agenda is global hegemony and control of trade routes.

 

“Hence, we call on governments of both the US and China to back off, demilitarize the oceans and let the peace-loving people of Asia enjoy genuine cooperation in the region,” said Magtubo.

 

The group asserts that rather than annihilation, war is better waged against poverty and inequality especially at a time the world’s people are facing multiple crises in health, the economy, and climate.

 

“In fact, Filipino workers have their own war to win - a Wage Increase for Wage Recovery or WIN WAR that the government of President Marcos must seriously address,” said Magtubo.

 

PM has been calling for a wage increase of P100 across-the-board to recover lost value of wages due to soaring inflation. 

22 November 2022

Militants back East Timor demand for fair maritime border in protest at Australian embassy today

As part of an internationally coordinated series of protest actions, militants rallied at the Australian embassy today to demand that Australia establish a fair maritime border according to UNCLOS and international law. Similar to the dispute over the West Philippine Sea, East Timor is contesting claims by Australia on the oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea.PR0112

Members of Partido Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines) and Philippine Airlines Employees Association-International Transport Workers Federation held a solidarity action at the Australian embassy in Makati today to signify support for the just demand of East Timor. The protesters shouted “Australia: Don't be a bully in the Timor Sea like China in the West Philippine Sea!”

Similar actions at Australian embassies or Australian government bodies are slated in East Timor, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the US from March 22 to 24.

Just before East Timor gained independence as a country, Australia withdrew from the UNCLOS and thus there has been no maritime border fixed between the two countries except for provisional arrangements dictated by the latter.

At stake in the dispute is control over oil and resources which are currently exploited by Australia but which will lie within East Timor’s jurisdiction as per UNCLOS. East Timor demands control over the resources so it can be used for their national development.

            Among the slogans highlighted in today’s protest are:

 Hands off East Timor's oil!

 Australia: Median line now!

 Australia: Heed international law, Draw maritime border with East Timor!

 Australia: Be fair and just, Draw maritime border with East Timor!

March 22, 2016