DFA hails bookstore for being patriotic

MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has commended the National Book Store (NBS) management for demonstrating its patriotism in supporting the protection of the country's sovereignty rights in the West Philippine Sea.

This was contained in a letter sent to Cecilia Licauco, National Book Store vice president for purchasing on February 15, 2013 by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on behalf of the Philippine government.

"As a major provider of educational products in the Philippines, National Book Store plays a valuable role in enriching the knowledge of young Filipinos," Del Rosario said.

"I was highly encouraged by your management's decision to withdraw the China-manufactured educational globes from your retail stores following our discussions on the misinformation contained in these globes on China's contentious nine-dash line encompassing virtually the entire West Philippine Sea," he said.

The NBS management's resolve in immediately implementing this decision reflected the company's strong sense of nationalism over and above economic profit, Del Rosario added.

He said he personally shared the NBS decision to President Benigno Aquino III, who was delighted and proud of the management's selfless and patriotic action.

Del Rosario noted that the country is entering a critical juncture following the government's initiation of arbitral proceedings against China on the nine-dash line to bring a durable solution to the West Philippine Sea dispute.

"It is vital that the Filipino people stand in unity and defend 'what is ours' in accordance with the Philippine Constitution," he said.

"I believe that the National Book Stores' example will inspire Filipinos to express their patriotism in their own individual capacities," the DFA chief added.

China has been claiming virtually the entire South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, overlapping on the claims of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. (SDR/Sunnex)