Philippine Forum

Hello everyone!

Philippine Forum has just been nominated as one of “The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York” for “Community Service and Advocacy” category.

If you believe we deserve the vote, please ‘like’ the page first in Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TOFAINY] and then ‘like’ the photo with the Philippine Forum logo [https://www.facebook.com/TOFAINY#!/photo.php?fbid=245591095460265&set=pu.236005296418845&type=1&theater]. Voting ends on October 8 @ 12mn.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who believe in Philippine Forum. We will continue to be of service not just to the Filipino but also to the larger immigrant communities in New York, New Jersey, all over US and the world as part of the national and international alliances we belong to. The community is what keeps us going. The people defines our purpose and meaning. Without all of you, Philippine Forum will not exist. Let us continue to strive towards greater heights through collective action. Let us to continue to fight for our rights as migrants and as human beings. Mabuhay tayong lahat! Serve the people!

We may not get your vote, but rest assured we’ll continue to serve the people and the community to the best of our ability even after voting deadline ends. Maraming maraming salamat, at muli, mabuhay tayong lahat!

In service of the people,
Philippine Forum

For Immediate Release
06 July 2011

Reference:

Jun Cruz, NAFCON Public Info Officer
415.333.6267 / info@filipinocc.org

Diplomatic Solution and Independent Foreign Policy Upholding Philippine Sovereignty, Not U.S. Intervention, the Answer to Spratlys Conflict – NAFCON

The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) urges the Philippine government to work for an independent foreign policy upholding Philippine sovereignty, and to reconsider requesting increased military assistance from the U.S. in response to the growing conflict with China regarding the Spratly islands.

Fr. Ben Alforque, president of NAFCON reiterated, “If the Philippine government is really for good governance, then it should not allow itself to become tools of war mongering and pawns of the U.S. It should promote an independent foreign policy and work for a diplomatic solution of the problem by all claimants including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Philippines and Malaysia.”

The Spratly Islands consist of over 30,000 unoccupied islands in the South China Sea that encompass strategically important trade routes and are believed to sit atop abundant mineral and oil deposits. For decades, several nations including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and the Philippines, have engaged in territorial disputes over the islands. Tensions have increased as of late due to moves by China that have been perceived by the Aquino administration as violations of international law and threats to our nations’ sovereignty.

However, Aquino sent representatives to the U.S. seeking for increased support to beef up the Philippines military capabilities including more joint training exercises and leasing naval vessels. Utilizing the conflict for greater military buildup in the region, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared that the U.S. is “determined and committed to supporting the defense of the Philippines.”

“While we denounce China’s incursions within our boundaries, it is contradictory for Aquino to increase our nation’s dependence on its former colonial master behind the banner of defending Philippine sovereignty. The U.S. military has violated our sovereignty since time immemorial, even resulting in the raping of our women and displacement of our people. By seeking greater U.S. military presence, the Aquino administration is actually undermining Philippine sovereignty.” said Fr. Ben Alforque. ###

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