Press Release

MASINLOC PEACEFUL PROTEST RALLY AGAINST CHINA'S INVASION, OCCUPATION AND MILITARIZATION ORGANIZED BY NYMWPS A SUCCESS

By Dr. Celia Lamkin
Founder and Global Chairperson, NYMWPS
Masinloc-Zambales
July 5, 2016



The Masinloc Grand Protest Rally against China's Invasion, Occupation and Militarization of the West Philippine Sea which was initiated, funded and organized by the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea ( NYMWPS) in collaboration with the PPVR and KOMPre Zambales chapter was successfully held on June 22, 2016, at Masinloc, Zambales, Philippines, says Dr. Celia Lamkin, Founder and Global Chairperson of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea and Global Movement for the West Philippine Sea. 

The theme of the event was " The Victory of the West Philippine Sea is the victory  of every Filipino" echoed the prayers and hope of every Filipino and concerned world citizens on  the favorable ruling for the Philippines in anticipation of the decision of the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, Netherlands in July 12 with regard to the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China in the West Philippine Sea dispute issues. 

There were almost hundred protesters who attended comprising of fisherfolks from Zambales, residents of Masinloc, religious leaders, advocates of the West Philippine Sea, among other sectors. The NYMWPS PHILIPPINES officers National Chair , Sir Gerald Miranda and NYMWPS Global Secretariat Norms Silvestre and PPRV and KOMPre Zambales Chair Norma Amata led the protest rally at Masinloc, Zambales. 

Former Congressman and former Philippine National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, Former Congressman and former Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority ( SBMA) Felicito Payumo and also the Honorary Chair of NYMWPS Bataan and Western Luzon chapters, Mr. Luis Cuarisma, Leader of the Zambales Fishermen were the guest speakers during the program of the rally which was held at the Masinloc covered basketball court. 

During the rally program, a Coalition of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea with the Fisherfolks of the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal was established when the message of NYMWPS Global Chair Dr. Celia Lamkin who was officially represented by Norms Silvestre , was read to all participants during the program. Further, the NYMWPS expressed the help and assistance to Zambales fisherfolks such as protection of their rights and their welfare which are part of the goals of the NYMWPS. 

The NYMWPS National Chair Sir Gerald Miranda says, "  I can also say that this rally is  successful in the sense that we, the movement,  showed our support to the fisherfolks in Zambales. We made them feel our presence and our willingness to help them in their cause. 

Also, we successfully delivered  our message to them and to all concerned parties who attended the rally that we ,the NYMWPS,  will continue to defend our rights in the West Philippine Sea and we will participate in every actions possible in promoting patriotism among youth and in every community as possible especially those who are hardly and severely affected by Chinese bullying and occupation in the West Philippine Sea."

Miranda added, " We closed the program by a symbolical march condemning the occupation of China in the Scarborough shoal from the venue of rally to the Baywalk that is facing our Scarborough Shoal. The symbolic march was intensified by the singing of "Ang Bayan Ko."

The heroes are our fishermen because they risk their lives in defending their rights and freedom while being bullied by the Chinese Coast Guard at the Scarborough Shoal to make a living ,to fish in that area,for their family and the community.

Chair Miranda thanked all the dedicated officers and members of the NYMWPS in the Philippines and all chapters in USA, Saipan, American Samoa, ASIA, Australia, UK, EUROPE, Canada, Middle East, Africa, especially Dr. Celia Lamkin who made this event possible.

The Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc which is within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is 124 miles away from the Masinloc seashore and has been occupied by China since April 2012 resulting in the prohibition of fishing and bullying our own fisherfolks in Zambales, Pangasinan and Bataan in the shoal which consequently affect their livelihood, added Lamkin.

Dr. Celia Lamkin, NYMWPS Founder and Global Chair, Chairperson of the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance ( USPGG) CNMI, Guam, Hawaii and American Samoa, Founder and Chairperson of the Global Filipinos in Diaspora Marianas ( CNMI and Guam), Founder, Board Member and Secretary of the Global Filipino Diaspora Council ( GFDC), was officially represented by Ms. Norms Silvestre, who is also the Volunteer Secretariat of the USPGG Marianas chapter. 

The U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance and Global Filipino Diaspora Council headed by its national chairperson Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis, MARCHA, Di Ka Pasisiil Movement, Paranaque Riders Club headed by its chairman Former Congressman Roilo Golez, religious leaders and other sectors were represented during the rally. 

The BBC WORLD VIETNAM, CNN, and Inquirer covered the peaceful rally. 

Everyone prayed for the victory and peace of the West Philippine Sea. 

On behalf of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea, I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported, helped, assisted and collaborated for the realization and success of the protest rally at Masinloc, Zambales, Lamkin concluded. 

Long Live the Philippines and the Filipino people! 

God bless the Philippines and the Filipino people!