The 6 million dollar question is, has the Philippines the slightest chance to win over the ownership of Scarborough Shoal?  Is the Philippines by twist of fate be the victor in this another saga of territorial conflict?  This is almost the same question everyone has towards the end of the information session re: Scarborough Shoal on Saturday, 30 June at the All Saints Catholic Church Hall in Liverpool, New South Wales.

The information session was hosted by the ALLIANCE of PHILIPPINE COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, INC. (APCO) aptly facilitated by APCO President, Mr Jhun Salazar. The panel of speakers were Consul-General Anne Jalando-on Louis, Mr Tom Baena and Mr Joseph Orbase of Radio Tamaraw, Ms Lolita Farmer of Global Filipino, Retired Col Chris Pilao, Dr Cen Amores, APCO Founding President & People of Australia Ambassador for the Filipino Community and different community organisations.  Charles Chan was the hardworking emcee and the session coinciding with APCO Thanksgiving party was graced by the presence of Mr Laurie Ferguson, member for Werriwa and strong supporter of APCO.

As a great battle between David and Goliath looms in the horizon, we should ask ourselves what we can do to help win this great-war for all Filipinos. One of the options/suggestions is to stage a peaceful war by means of posting in websites of Filipino communities around the globe about our assertion/affirmation that it truly belongs to the Philippines since the Spanish colonisation of the Philippines, it is the closet to the Philippines 124 nautical miles and have been used by Filipinos as a fishing ground.  Remember the very popular “GET KONE” web war staged by some Americans and became very popular and controversial around the world?
 

The finale of the information sessions has two final actions to be taken which the majority of the attendees conformed with.
 
1.) It was agreed upon that Filipinos where ever we may be should have a united solid ground.  Our one solid argument/contention is that the Philippines have a-rock- solid/tangible sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal.
 
2.) That in context of the conflict between China & the Philippines re: Sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal it is imperative that the Philippines need all the support it can get.  And that is why a united stand is necessary for all Filipinos worldwide to help, that an ongoing treaty in 2007 between the Philippines and Australia called SOVFA (Status of Visiting Forces Agreement) with a budget of close to $5 million be ratified again by the Philippine Senate soon and not much later.
 
The ratification of the agreement is of utmost importance as Australia is the Philippines strongest, closest ally and grant aid donor.  For 2012 to 13 the estimate grant is $129 million dollars mainly for educations, economic growth, stability and human security.Filipinos in New South Wales would act on this with a united front at the earliest time possible.  I will keep you posted, but now I ask Filipinos worldwide, “Would you”?

 

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine