Philippines, 18 Feb 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacquiao on disputed islands: SMALLER, POORER PHILIPPINES MUST DEFEND ITS TERRITORIES


PhilBoxing.com




Saranggani Congressman Manny Pacquiao early this week called on the Filipinos to rally behind the flag to show support for the Philippines in its dispute with economic and military giant China over several islands and atolls in the West Philippine Sea.

Pacquiao, 37, the country's first and only active sportsman to be voted as member of Congress, made the call three weeks before his historic boxing match with undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., an event which will bring the Philippines to great heights in world sports.

"Ito ang pagkakataon na dapat magkaisa ang ating bansa upang harapin ang malaking problema na ito na hindi lamang nangangahulugan ng pagkawala ng mga teritoryo ng ating bansa kundi ang pagkawala ng pambansang dangal," he said in a prepared statement issued early this week.

(This is the moment when the country should unite and confront this huge problem which could not only mean the loss of our territory but also national dignity and pride.)

China is at odds with several smaller countries in Asia after it drew an imaginary 9-dash lines which included the vast ocean and islands and atolls which are also being claimed by other countries, including the Philippines.

Using its military might and economic power, China has already occupied several islands belonging to the Philippines and built airstrips, an apparent attempt to establish military presence in the disputed area.

The Saranggani solon who is on his second term said he supports the national government's efforts to take up the dispute over the islands in the West Philippine Sea to the United Nations but added that other options should be considered.

"Dapat tingnan pa natin kung ano pa ang maaring gawin upang ipa-unawa sa China na ang Pilipinas ay handang makipag-usap para lang maayos ang problemang ito at maigalang ang ating pagma-may-ari sa mga isla sa West Philippine Sea," Pacquiao said.

(We should look at other options to make China understand that the Philippines is willing to talk to resolve this problem to make sure that the rights of the country over the islands in the West Philippine Sea are respected.)

Pacquiao said he supported the position of Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte who earlier said that aside from the country's appeal for adjudication in the United Nations, there should be efforts to talk to the Chinese government directly.

"Para sa akin, tama ang ginagawa ng ating bansa na ihain sa UN ang ating reklamo sa pangangamkam ng mayamang bansa ng ating mga isla. Pero ang katanungan ay: Papaano kung hindi pakikinggan ng bansa higante at mayaman ang desisyon ng UN? Ito ang isang malaking katanungan na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ng ating mga pambansang lider," he said.

(I believe that the country is right in its move to take this matter up with the UN but the question is: What if the giant and rich country will not listen to the decision of the UN? This is a question which our leaders must take into consideration.)

Pacquiao said that while the Philippines is smaller and poorer compared to the economic and military giant China, Filipinos should not just meekly yield their territories.

"Hindi dahil maliit at mahirap tayo ay pabayaan na lang natin na mawala ang ating mga teritoryo," he said.

(We should not allow others to take our territory simply because we are smaller and poorer.)

"Ako ay naniniwala na sa pagharap natin sa suliraning ito, dapat nating isaisip ang diwa ng ating pambansang awit, ang ?Bayang Magiliw.? Bakit pa natin kakantahin ang linyang ?Ang mamatay ng dahil sa?yo? kung hindi din lang naman natin kaya, maski sa ano mang paraan, kayang ipagtanggol ang teritoryo at dangal ng ating bansa?," Pacquiao added.

(As we face this problem, we should take to heart the meaning and spirit of "Bayang Magiliw," the national anthem. Why do we have to sing the line "I am ready to die for you" if we could not even defend the pride and honour of our country.)

"Let us rally behind our national flag and show to the whole world that Filipinos, small and poor as we are, have the courage and the determination to defend their honour and dignity," he said.

Pacquiao, a former street urchin who gathered empty bottles in garbage dumps to help feed his family, said he is dedicating his historic fight against Mayweather on May 2 to the Philippines and the Filipinos.

"I hope this fight will serve as an inspiration for the Filipinos and a reminder that it is not the size which matters but the spirt and the heart," said Pacquiao who is smaller than the American champion and comes to the ring as an underdog.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Dutch Boxing Federation accepted as IBA provisional member
    , Tue, 18 Feb 2025
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of undefeated prospect VeShawn Champion
    , Tue, 18 Feb 2025
  • VIC MANUEL, MIKE TOLOMIA LEAD VALIENTES PAST BENILDE IN SIBUGAY INVITATIONAL
    , Tue, 18 Feb 2025
  • IM Chito Danilo Garma rules 5th AQ Prime Standard Open chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Feb 2025
  • Ryan Clark defeats Ross Rodriguez in Old-fashioned barnburner fight
    , Mon, 17 Feb 2025
  • Vince Paras Secures Impressive TKO Victory in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
    , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • Concio unbeaten for IIEE Quezon to advance to Finals of PTC-WED
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • OSCAR "LA MIGRAÑA" DUARTE HANDS MIGUEL "EXPLOSIVO" MADUEÑO HIS FIRST CAREER KNOCKOUT LOSS TO CLAIM WBA CONTINENTAL AMERICAS SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
    , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • US Olympics Silver Medalist Nabs Pro "Gold"; Keyshawn Davis Wins WBO Crown by Knockout
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • Roy Jones Jnr and Israil Madrimov Break Down Canelo-Crawford Fight
    , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • April 5: Heavyweight Titans Richard Torrez Jr. & Guido Vianello to Collide at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas LIVE on ESPN+
    , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • Cleveland, OKC Keep Lead But Old Vets Dominate All Stars Squads
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • IM Garma notches third win in 5th AQ Prime Standard Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Feb 2025
  • Business Handled: Keyshawn Davis Crushes Denys Berinchyk in Four to Capture Lightweight Crown
    , Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • Secret is never retire
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • DUARTE VS. MADUEÑO WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • "FIGHT NIGHT AT THE VETS CLUB III" Official Weights from Bridgewater (MA)
    , Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • Denys Berinchyk Defends WBO Lightweight Title Tonight vs. Keyshawn Davis at Madison Square Garden
    , Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • Weigh-In Results from Manchester: Catterall - 139.14 lbs; Barbosa - 139.10 lbs.
    , Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • Experts Weigh In: Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones Jr., and Errol Spence Make Their Picks for Canelo vs. Crawford
    , Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • Berinchyk vs Davis: Fight Week Racism Only Adds Fuel to Keyshawn’s Fire
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 14 Feb 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis
    , Fri, 14 Feb 2025
  • DUARTE VS. MADUEÑO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 14 Feb 2025
  • THE REMATCH: WBC INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION WILLIAM "EL CAMARÓN" ZEPEDA DEFENDS TITLE AGAINST TEVIN “2X” FARMER IN HIGH-STAKES CLASH
    , Fri, 14 Feb 2025
  • Former World Champion Richard Commey is back! Feb. 23rd at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre
    , Fri, 14 Feb 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.