Former DFA chief praised for firm stand on West Philippine Sea

Consul General Neil Ferrer receives from Colma Mayor John Irish Goodman and Councilmember Joanne del Rosario a proclamation declaring Philippine Independence Day in Colma. CONTRIBUTED

The Philippine national flag flies proudly outside the Colma Community Center in Colma, California, following the Philippine flag-raising ceremony on June 5. CONTRIBUTED

COLMA, Calif. – As the Philippine national flag was raised in Colma, California, to mark Philippine Independence Day, the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario was praised for fighting for the Philippines’ sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

Consul General Neil Ferrer, in his remarks during the town’s Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 5, paid tribute to del Rosario, who “stood firmly on his moral principles in fighting for the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and in saving the lives of overseas Filipinos in dangerous situations.”

Del Rosario’s patriotic legacy holds a special significance at a time of rising Philippines-China tensions and increased aggression by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea.

On Thursday (Friday in Manila), a CCG vessel “intentionally rammed” a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) boat transporting a sick member of the Philippine Navy from Ayungin Shoal, according to a PCG spokesperson.

Ferrer joined Colma officials and residents – including the late diplomat’s sister, Colma Councilmember and former Mayor Joanne del Rosario – for hosting the annual flag-raising ceremony.

Colma police officers raise the Philippine national flag in a ceremony held at the Colma Community Center. Philippine Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales (behind the podium) sings the Philippine national anthem as Colma Mayor John Irish Goodman (left) looks on. CONTRIBUTED

He thanked Councilmember de Rosario and Mayor John Irish for hosting the flag-raising ceremony during a special year for Colma, which celebrates its 100th founding anniversary.

Mayor Goodwin presented Ferrer with a proclamation, signed by all members of the City Council, declaring Philippine Independence Day in Colma.

The proclamation recognizes Councilmember del Rosario’s place in history as the first-ever Filipino American mayor of any city in the Bay Area, as well as Colma’s feat for being the first city in the United States to have two Fil-Am women serving together as mayor and vice mayor.

The proclamation also cites that Lucky Chances Casino, Colma’s biggest business, is Filipino American-owned.

Other dignitaries attending the event included Colma Councilmembers Helen Fisicaro and Carrie Slaughter, and Daly City-Colma Chamber of Commerce CEO Felicia Leong.