Photo Courtesy : Sarah Elago |FB
The Makabayan bloc extended warm greetings to Chinese communities worldwide on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, highlighting the deep historical and cultural ties between Filipinos and Chinese.
In its statement, the bloc expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of disputes in the West Philippine Sea and the broader region, stressing that the Philippines must uphold an independent foreign policy that prioritizes national interests, sovereignty, and the welfare of the Filipino people over the strategic aims of foreign powers.
Makabayan underscored that diplomacy, bilateral negotiations, and multilateral frameworks should guide the country’s approach, cautioning against allowing the Philippines to be used as a proxy in the rivalry between major powers.
The bloc urged the Chinese government to ease its rhetoric and cease aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, including harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and militarization of disputed areas, noting that such actions violate international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling.
At the same time, Makabayan called on the Philippine government not to escalate tensions by aligning too closely with U.S. military strategy, citing the expansion of EDCA sites, rotational forces, and joint patrols as developments that risk turning the country into a forward operating base.
“The path to peace and stability lies in diplomacy, dialogue, and the pursuit of an independent foreign policy,” the bloc said, urging stronger ASEAN cooperation and confidence-building measures with China to reduce tensions and open space for negotiations. (ZIA LUNA)
