Fil-Ams, Viet-Ams jointly protest China’s sea incursions

Filipinos and Vietnamese join hands in Los Angeles protest against China’s behavior in South China Sea. CONTRIBUTED

LOS ANGELES — Filipino Americans and Vietnamese Americans loudly protested China’s maritime incursions June 12, 2018 at the Chinese consulate and visa office on Shatto Place. Protest actions also took place in Chicago and San Francisco.

Members of the Vietnamese Refugees Association of Southern California came all the way from Orange County in two big vans.

A delegation including Filipino Americans and WWII veterans tried to deliver a letter of protest at the PRC Consulate but were turned away by an irate official and the security guard.

The delegation was led by Fe Koons, Art Garcia, Vangie Lara, and Phu Bat, president of the VRASC and a Councilman of the City of Orange Grove. They read the letter aloud at the consulate gate.

Donnie de Leon, Rodel Rodis, and Ago Pedalizo lead protest in front of the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. CONTRIBUTED

But the same “undiplomatic response”came from other consulates where Filipinos made representations in Chicago and San Francisco, organizers reported.

This was the first time in Los Angeles that Filipino and Vietnamese Americans held a joint protest action against the Chinese government and its instrumentalities. There had been joint protest actions with the Vietnamese in San Francisco.

The Vietnamese brought their signs, banners, and flags. The Fi-Ams also displayed the Filipino flag.

Los Angeles protesters in front of Chinese consulate. CONTRIBUTED

Fe Koons of FAHRA-LA paid tribute to Roilo Golez, a staunch critic of China’s incursions, who died yesterday, June 12 in Manila.

One and half hour rally.

The rally lasted for more than one hour. The Filipinos ended the singing “Lupang Hinirang” while the Vietnamese sung the South Vietnam national anthem.

FAHRA leader Art Garcia and Vietnamese community leader Phu Bat exchanged flags as a symbol of solidarity against China’s aggression.