Protest actions vs China launched

A group of Filipinos in the United States on Friday called on US lawmakers to revive House Resolution 352, the measure expressing support of the American government for a peaceful resolution of the maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Launched in conjunction with anti-China protest in Washington DC, Eric Lachica, one of the protest organizers, said they talked to some officials in Capitol Hill, including California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, to revive the resolution.

Lachica indicated that the protest is only a preliminary step to show the unity of the Filipinos all over the world against China’s interference in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, in the midst of intensifying tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) asked Filipino-Chinese businessmen to invest in the "offshore energy exploration projects", including the Reed Bank in Palawan province.

In a statement, DFA-Ocean head Concerns Office Assistant Secretary Gilberto Asuque invited the Filipino-Chinese businessmen to invest in such projects.

The Reed Bank is among the disputed territories of the Philippines and China.

In Malacañang, Palace officials strongly denied that the Philippine government is behind the anti-China rallies.

Presidential Spokesman said Edwin Lacierda said the government has no hands in the protest actions launched by a group of patriotic Filipinos.

According to Lacierda, the government recognizes the right to free expression and self-organization.

Malacañang assured the security of employees of the Chinese Embassy in Manila.