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Photo/Files: Happy 115th Independence Day Philippines!

Araw ng Kasarinlan, the Day of Freedom

If you can possibly use the power of your imagination to take part of that special afternoon of June 12, 1898 when General Emilio F. Aguinaldo officially announced the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of the Philippines at the balcony of his house in Kawit, Cavite. 

Imagine that scene of the people proudly seeing a waved Philippine flag. 

On top of their lungs shouting "Mabuhay ang Kalayaan ng Pilipinas!"

While listening to the Marcha Filipina, the tune of our now called Lupang Hinirang.

You can just imagine.

Fact is, it's a wonderful time to be a Filipino every month of June as it will the month to celebrate a day of freedom. A time to celebrate the greatest right we have as Filipinos. It constantly reminds us that our nation is as great as it can be. And ultimately it proves that we are brave, sacrificing, and united in love.

Yet at this present time, I wish that every person of this nation may try asking themselves what freedom means to them today. Some may say freedom from NPA bandit oppression, freedom from poverty, freedom from bullying, freedom in equality, but in reality, the general populace are more concerned with the issues of AiAi and the sexual preference of Charice or whoever. 

Kalayaan is a term taken for granted by many; it may come in different forms and served in different ways. Kalayaan should also be protected, informed to the many, and must be practiced justly. It is time to be more aware of the things that should be us and for us. A lot of people already sacrificed their lives to protect this freedom; from internal threats that we make press that soon become forgotten. If we fail to act and love this country, it may not just be our sovereignty over some areas be taken away, it can also be our identity. 

So free yourself on that day and feel the air of freedom once again. 

Our dar President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the celebration of the Philippine’s 115th Independence Day at the Liwasang Bonifacio in the city of Manila.

Be there. Don't forget to wear the flag.

Trivia about our flag:

  1. General Emilio Aguinaldo, a prominent leader in the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonial rule, designed what was to become the Philippine flag during his exile in Hongkong in 1897.
  2. The original Philippine flag, was first sewn in Hong Kong in 1898, was made of silk.
  3. It was hand-sewn by three Filipino women by the name of Dona Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, the niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
  4. The Philippine flag was formally unfurled during the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.
  5. The golden sun of our flag is not exactly in the center of the triangle but shifted slightly to the right. It represents the original eight provinces that started the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule.
  6. Along with Bulgaria, the Philippine flag can be turned upside down. If the Philippines is under a state of war, the red stripe is flown upwards, while blue at times of peace. 
  7. Computer colors or HEX are Blue (#0038A8) Red (#CE1126) White (#FFFFFF) Yellow (#FCD116) based on the Republic Act 8491 in terms of their cable number in the system developed by the Color Association of the United States.
  8. Eight rays of the yellow sun represent the eight provinces as Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, and Batangas.
  9. In 2009, a Senate Bill was introduced to add an additional ray to represent the Moro people in Mindanao who also fought the Spanish and was never occupied by the Spanish colonial government. As of September 24, 2009, it is in the process of bill reconciliation in Congress.
  10. Symbolism of our flag:

    BLUE FIELD - stands for peace, truth, and justice
    RED FIELD - stands for patriotism and valor
    WHITE TRIANGLE - stands for equality and fraternity
    EIGHT RAYS OF THE YELLOW SUN - represents the original eight provinces that started the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule
    THREE YELLOW STAR - represents Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the three geographical division of the country.
Some phrases are taken from Timawa with revision.

 © iamreservist.blogspot.com

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Why our Coast Guard 'properly' did its job?

Chinese-Taiwanese media sparked an uncontrollable outrage among their people about the death of their fellow fisherman Huang Shih-Cheng due to a recent shooting incident. 

Before I go further, I should say that I humbly sympathize for the loss of life. 

Now let me clarify my points as to why our Coast Guard 'properly' did its job.

1. Nothing is disputed at all. The incident took place well-within our territorial zone [Philippine], specifically 43 nautical miles east of Balintang Island. Obviously far beyond any Taiwanese territory. I wonder why their media constantly blurs out or removes Batanes in the map. 

An example of a map printed by some irresponsible Taiwanese media removing Batanes islands from the map. Facts about Batanes island.  
Whereas the incident actually happened 43 nautical miles east of Balintang island (shown in map on left). Now based on the publicly released geographic coordinates by Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (TCGA), the intruding boat was located at 19'58", 122'58", deep within our territory recognized by the UN Convention Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). I had imagined that they themselves are telling us that their boat was indeed inside our territory!
2. There was no overlapping EEZ. Taiwan is holding us responsible for the death of Huang Shih-Cheng and demands fishing rights in the area, specifically their self-imposed overlapping EEZ with the Philippines. This is somehow absurd because UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not reveal any document of overlapping zones.  

This is an image showing Taiwan's EEZ (blue) and the disputed areas (green) courtesy of Sea Around Us Project.
3. Rules of Engagement.  On May 9, 2013 at around 5:00 a.m., our [Philippine] coast guard on board MCS-3001 detected four foreign fishing vessels inside our jurisdiction. All four boats were being addressed using alarms or sirens, and loudspeaker announcements but they all sped away towards the direction of Taiwan. 

Since it was vitally important for our Coast Guard to inspect their vessel for it's illegal fishing, they also have to open the possibility of smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal logging, and illegal migration activities. These possible violations will only be determined if the Philippine Coast Guard was able to board their vessels. 

A chase which lasted four hours gave a possible attempt to board one fishing vessel but upon doing so, several fishing boats tried to ram the Philippine boat marking it a 'hostile' act against law enforcers. With an intention to cause harm, the PCG decided to provide warning shots for them to stop. With no cooperation, the PCG then decided to immobilize their vessel, the Guang Ta Hsin 28, by firing at it's engine. During the process, a bullet hit the neck of a 65 year Mr. Huang Shih-Cheng.

The Taiwanese fishing vessel continued to navigate towards the direction of Taiwan until the Taiwanese Coast Guard escorted them home. 

According to the United States Coast Guard Rules of Engagement, the action of the Taiwanese fishing boat by intentionally ramming a law enforcer's vessel was a clear justification to shoot. There have been several accounts wherein law enforcers need to protect themselves in defense from hostile suspects.

U.S. Coast Guard member dies after boat rammed off 
Man shot after ramming a law enforcer

Regardless if the fishing vessel was a significantly smaller vessel compared to the MCS-3001. It should not be justified that our law enforcer's shouldn't protect themselves. 
I admire the boldness of the Coast Guard personnel who, in that decisive moment, made the choice to shoot the intruders' boat in order to prevent an further loss of lives. 

Yet I do agree that an apology to the Taiwanese people be given publicly. Being sympathetic on a fisherman's death is also as important but what I should also patronize is the need to be nationalistic in saying that my country was the victim in the first place. What the Taiwanese government is actually demanding is too much as it seemed politicizing the activities of poaching. 

I have my faith restored with them as evidence that our Coast Guard is still true to their oath in protecting the nation's territory and marine wealth.  

Therefore, I say thank you Philippine Coast Guard!
I call upon every Filipino out there, join the ranks! Be a Navy reservist marked with courage, boldness, and patriotism. It is time to take part and be a doer of good deeds. 

 © iamreservist.blogspot.com