Tañada: Emulate Rizal’s love for country over Spratlys issue

MANILA -- House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III said the nation’s remembrance of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on his 150th birth anniversary should remind national leaders that patriotism and love of country can be emulated in dealing with the Spratlys issue.

The Spratlys problem is “now putting the country at the verge of what can be its strongest challenge ever on the protection of its territorial integrity and respect for the sanctity of the nation’s independence,” the lawmaker said.

Tañada issued the statement as Beijing, through its diplomatic channels, came out with a tough statement regarding its territorial claim on the internationally disputed Spratlys islands.

“Poorer as we are in resources, weaker as we are in terms of armaments, and lesser as we are in the number of soldiers compared to other countries, we are equal with other nations in terms of international rights, in the right to lay claim on islands and territories that are legally and historically ours, and in our claim for national dignity as a sovereign nation,” Tañada said.

The House leader added the bilateral diplomatic remedies that can be offered by both the Philippines and China should take the front seat in dealing with the on-and-off tiff on Spratlys. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)