Saturday, July 27, 2013

Anti-China intrusion Rally by Roman OFWs – A successful joint action

By Belarmino Dabalos Saguing, Rome, Italy, Sunday 28.07.2913


The Italian Police estimated over one thousand  (2,000 according to organizer's estimate) Filipinos gathered at the Piazza del Popolo (People’s Square) in Rome to protest China’s claim and incursions in South China Sea and West Philippine Sea was assessed by the organizers as a big success, considering that Filipinos, except for a group or two, are not known to join a protest manifestation. This time, the Filipino’s love for their own country as rallyting point, the usually rally-shy Filipinos flocked into the square lugging with them placards and the national color.


The presence of big number of young Pinoys is significant,( some of them born in Italy and visited the Philippines only once or twice in their lifetime) and with great enthusiasm, the boys and girls joined the melee with their youthful vigor and festive mood.


The baking heat of the sun failed to prevent the Filipinos from singing and dancing their love for their country, chanting slogans from 4 to 9 pm. Even the police retreated t under the shade of buildings bordering the square. (Yes, the Military Police were there as required by the law to ensure that the right  to  free  assembly is respected.)


Msgr. Jerry Bitoon observed:  Some of the elderly pinoys were emotional as they sing "Ang Bayan kong Pilipinas". The rally concluded with singing and dancing to the delight of tourists passing by. "Guys, what's this, a rally or a party", asked a young American. An elderly pinoy blurted, "It's both". "It's more fun in the Filipino rally"! Amidst singing and dancing, the Filipino community in Rome realized the seriousness of China's disregard for international laws.








































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