Makabansa has joined in celebrating the 30th year of the end of the US-PH military base pact, as it continues to call on Filipinos to support efforts to assert the country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea through peaceful channels.
“Sa buwan ng Setyembre igunita natin ang 30 taong pag basura ng 12 magiting na senador ang tratado sa ng base military sa pagitan ng US at Pilpinas. Nagpupugay ang aming grupo sa pag gunita ng makasaysayang buwan ng Setyembre.” (This September, we celebrate the 30th year when 12 senators voted against the US-PH Bases Treaty. Makabansa salutes and commemorates this historic month), the group, in a statement said.
The 12 former senators who voted against the renewal of the US-PH Bases Treaty in 1991 were Agapito “Butz” Aquino, Joseph Estrada, Teofisto Guingona Jr, Sotero Laurel II, Ernesto Maceda Jr, Orlando Mercado, Aquilino Pimentel Jr, Rene Saguisag, Jovito Salonga, Wigberto Tañada, Victor Ziga, and Juan Ponce Enrile.
“Ginugunita natin ang September 16 bilang panalo ng bayan na merong paggalang sa sarili, political will at tapang na itulak ang ating mga karapatan, ang ating kasarinlan, ang ating interes bilang isang Republika (This September 16, we celebrate the country’s victory and its dignity, political will, and bravery to push for our independence as a republic.) ” Makabansa chairman Randy Pablico said.
Makabansa also added that efforts by the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia to establish an unprecedented security alliance in the Asia-Pacific is ”contrary to the stand of all direct claimants particularly the Philippines and China not to provoke each other and settle things through diplomatic channels.”
