August 23, 2019

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Greetings!

‘PATRIYOTIKO’ is a broad network of youths, women, human rights advocates, church people, legislators
and individuals who are uniting for the advancement of our national interests, sovereignty and territory.
It aims to unite the broadest unity among the Filipinos and inspire collective action geared towards
asserting our sovereignty. It is a manifestation of unity from various sectors, political forces, colors and
organizations aimed at unifying the Filipino people in the fight for our sovereignty.

Recent incidents involving our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea brought forth the need to
establish ‘PATRIYOTIKO’ and act together to defend our sovereignty. Despite winning the arbitral ruling
on the West Philippine Sea, China continues its open seizure of our territories. They continue their fishing
and extraction of mineral resources, building military infrastructures and installations, entering and
dismantling Chinese warships.

With this, we humbly invite your esteemed organization to be a part of ‘PATRIYOTIKO’. We would like to
further discuss the concept of ‘PATRIYOTIKO’ in your most convenient time. Attached herewith is the
concept paper which fully explains the purpose and the launching of this campaign.

If you have further questions or would like to indicate your desire to join, please write your contact details
at _____________. You can also contact us at 0998-414-4282 or by email at patriyotiko@gmail.com.

Thank you very much and we look forward to your participation in this program.

With you in the service of the Filipino People,

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

GABRIEL MATTHEW DE MESA

FRANCISCO MARIAZETA MONA REYES
PLM College of Science
Makabayan Manila Bayan Manila
Student Council
Vice President
CONTEXT

Article 12 Section 2 of the Philippine Constitution states that “All lands of the public domain,
waters, minerals, coal, petroleum […] and other natural resources are owned by the State,”
warranting our complete jurisdiction over our land and exclusive economic zones. In addition to
this, the State has direct control over any form of exploration or utilization of resources on said
areas. Despite our already solidified claims over the area, the territorial dispute caused the
suspension of oil exploration activities last 2015, particularly on Recto bank, and remains up to
this day.

In 2016, the Philippines won the arbitral ruling on the sovereign rights and territorial rights on
the West Philippine Sea. The basis of the decision was the United Nations Convention of the Laws
of the Seas (UNCLOS), a global law that regulates countries of their maritime entitlements. The
ruling states that the West Philippine Sea is an Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines and
that China has violated the law several times already; this includes banning Filipino fishermen
from fishing in the West Philippine Sea, preventing us from discovering mineral resources and
building artificial islands here. This ruling further solidified our rights towards the West Philippine
Sea and is the reason why China’s intrusion on our Exclusive Economic Zones is a direct violation
of our Constitution, which gives us enough grounds to assert

To date, approximately 311 hectares of coral reefs have been damaged due to the explicit
reclamation of the seven Spratly Islands to build Chinese bases and infrastructures.
Environmental damage in these areas is already estimated at P4.8 billion pesos. China also
violates the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 which states that it is illegal for any foreign vessel
to fish in our territory.

Rubbing salt to the wound, a Chinese vessel rammed into the fishing boat of Filipino fishermen
at the Recto Bank and were left afloat at sea that sparked outrage from Filipinos both online and
offline. Our fishermen were almost killed in our own territory yet no apology was heard from
China to date. Adding insult to injury, the government has seemingly kowtowed to the will of
China and belittled the incident as a simple ‘maritime incident’, saying that war will take place if
China is provoked and that we are not ready for it. These pronouncement and action clearly
violates our Philippine Constitution stated in Article 12. Section 2, “The State shall protect the
nations marine wealth, in its archipelagic waters, territorial seas, Exclusive Economic Zones and
reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively for Filipino citizens”.
Until now China has been blatantly seizing our sovereign rights and territorial rights. They
continue to fish and extract mineral resources, build infrastructures, and Chinese warships
continuously infiltrate our area. The Chinese nation has no other purpose but to expand their
territory and hegemony, consolidate its power and influence in the Asia-Pacific and control
strategic areas for its defense, military installations and trade.

The dragon has its claws clenched firmly upon our throats. China has offered as much as US$26
billion as loans for Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build!’ projects. The multi-billion-dollar loans from
China has tied the government’s hands and tongues into submission to the emerging foreign
power.

These incidents are a clear manifestation of the uneven relation between China and the
Philippines, the apparent definition of ‘independent foreign policy’ of the government. We have
international laws under the United Nations that protect the rights of our territories and is in
favor of our neighboring countries, too. But this is not enough because China is nowhere to be
stopped in its aggression and intent to seize and plunder our natural resources and our
government has distanced itself in asserting our sovereignty. Our hope lies in our resistance.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE?

China's overt aggression and occupation of our territory cannot be denied. It is our duty as
Filipinos to fight for our national interests, sovereignty, territories and our people. There is an
urgent call for us to be aggrieved and act to combat the tyranny of foreign aggressors. We are
called to relive and continue the fight of our great heroes like Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal,
General Antonio Luna, Macario Sakay, among others against foreign invaders.

We are called once again to stand against oppression. In the midst of the growing presence of
the Chinese military in our oceans, the attacks on our fisherfolk, the destruction of nature within
our territory, and the seizure of our natural resources; the increasing urge that we all act together
and resist.

WHAT IS PATRIYOTIKO?

Patriyotiko is campaign movement that seeks to unite the Filipinos from all walks of life to fight
for our sovereignty and our country. It aims to inspire the nationalist spirit of the Filipino people
and unite all political forces, colors, or organizations to show their love for the people by fighting
for our sovereignty.

Patriyotiko is an extensive network of youths, women, human rights advocates, church people,
legislators and other individuals who are ready to join forces in the fight against the aggression
of foreign powers and for our national sovereignty.

Patriyotiko aims to inform the widest number of people on the implications of the onerous deals
and implications of the aggression of foreign powers in the country.

COMPONENTS

 INFORM
o Conduct information dissemination activities that involves discussing the analysis
on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, foreign policies, ‘Build, Build, Build!’
Projects such as fora, community meetings, film showing, group discussions and
the likes.

 TREND
o Maximize social media as a platform to reach fellow Filipinos and organizations
who have the similar stance on our patrimony. Launch a selfie campaign. Use the
hashtags #AtinAngPinas #CHexit.

 LOBBY
o We aim to seek unities from the local government in this campaign such as issuing
a city resolution supporting our call to stand up for our sovereignty and assert our
rights on the West Philippine Sea.

 MOBILIZE
 o Conduct various forms of action in schools, communities, work places and the likes
that will show our unified strength and stance. These activities are the following
but not limited to unity walks, prayer rally, ribbon tying, candle lighting, noise
barrage, parades, fun runs and the likes.

ACTIVITIES

DATE EVENTS
September 7 Patriyotiko Launching