00:00A Pag-Asa Island resident is directly challenging senators who suggested giving up the West Philippine Sea,
00:06urging them to visit the contested area to witness what they are trying to give away.
00:11Last Saturday, Senator Risa Honteveros visited Pag-Asa and assured support to the island.
00:17Patrick De Jesus tells us more.
00:32These are the residents of Pag-Asa Island, the families who chose to live here, even in one of the
00:39remotest parts of the Philippines.
00:41They are also the only Filipino civilians, with a population in the country's occupied features in the West Philippine Sea.
00:49Aside from military and uniformed personnel, the island is home to more than 400 Filipino civilians, and the number continues
00:57to grow.
00:58One of the earliest residents is Roni. He has been living on Pag-Asa Island since 1999, when he worked
01:06as a construction worker.
01:07Nang nakita ko yung lugar, medyo talagang maganda siya sa timing.
01:12Yung anak ko na panganay, siya po ang kaunaw na nag-graduate ng elementary dito sa Pag-Asa Elementary School.
01:20With improved internet connection on the island, it has become easier for them to watch the news.
01:26This is how they quickly learned about the recent statement, suggesting the Kalayaan Island group, including Pag-Asa Island, should
01:34simply be given up.
01:36This was painful for Roni, and for all the residents.
01:40Masakit sa amin na mayroong mga senador na gano'n na minuto pa ng taong bayan bago sila pa mismo
01:45yung gusto talagang ipamigay yung talagang nataga na pinagsakribisyon ng mga Pilipino dito sa Chris-Pilipinsi.
01:51Sir, nakamang ko sila, pumunta sila dito para mas maganda, para makita nila kung ano ba yung pinapamigay nila kung
01:56isang tao lang ba ito.
02:10Amid the recent exchanges of sentiments on the West Philippine Sea, government officials reaffirmed their commitment to advancing and protecting
02:19the country's sovereignty.
02:21Ang Kalayaan Island group, kahit kailan ay hindi namin iiwan, kahit kailan ay hindi namin ipamibigay, at magsasama-sama tayong
02:31tindigan ito para sa susunod na saling lahi ng Pilipino.
02:35The Philippines has effective governance and ownership of the municipality of Kalayaan, especially Pag-Asa Island. Atin po ito. No
02:45question about it.
02:48The residents of Pag-Asa also found another ally in Sen. Risa Hontiveros who visited the island last Saturday.
02:57West Philippine Sea, atin ito!
03:00Aside from bringing assistance, Hontiveros assured that she would support further improvements on Pag-Asa Island and other strengthening projects
03:10here.
03:10She herself witnessed China's illegal presence where during her first visit, around 20 vessels from the Chinese Maritime Militia, PLA
03:20Navy, and China Coast Guard were observed to be surrounding Pag-Asa Island.
03:32She personally experienced repeated Chinese radio challenges while on board the aircraft and saw China's artificial islands in claimed features
03:42of the West Philippine Sea, such as Panganiban or Mischief Reef.
03:47May solusyon dito sa panghubuli ng China sa atin at nasa sa kamay natin ito na sa lahat ng mga
03:55diplomatiko at politikal na paraan plus yung economic support sa munisipyo dito,
04:02maititindig talaga natin sustainable ang katotohanan ng West Philippine Sea atin ito.
04:09Noon pa man, kahit mga nakarang mga administrasyon ay talagang parati na na kami nag-coordinate at inihingi na mapuntuhan
04:17yung mahalagang may infrastruktura natin dito.
04:20At saka yung ibang pictures na sakop ng PD-1596 ay kailangan natin madibilok talaga, malagyan ng mahalagang infrastruktura project.
04:28For anybody, kahit pa nasa privado, politiko, or national government official, pagpunta ka rito, mas mararamdaman mo yung halaga ng
04:38laban natin sa West Philippine Sea.
04:40There are also plans to build a church on Pag-asa Island. This was discussed on Monday during the meeting
04:47between Dariela and Palawan Bishop Socrates Misiona, noting most of the island's residents are Catholic.
04:54From Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea, Patrick De Jesus, for the National TV Network, for a new
05:02and better Philippines.
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