The Spratly Islands

It has been of great concerns lately about the dispute within several nations claiming the said to be oil-rich islands of spratly located at the South China Sea. Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and China are continuously debating and exchanging warning words to each other that they should get away from the islands because one of those countries are claiming the islands. China and Philippines in particular are in hot tension on to whom the islands should be under. China warned US to not interfere with the dispute between Philippines which is a known US ally country, this was after Washington announced that they are ready to play any role to resolve the conflict peacefully.

Spratly islands are a group of nine small islands - which is currently occupied by the Philippine military troops and several civilians - are said to be rich in minerals and oils. This dispute has been happening long time ago and it has just emerged again recently after Vietnam and Philippines separately warned China about exploring in their territorial waters, which in return China fired back that it is their waters and no other else.

The 10-members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conducted a meeting in Bali to discuss the incident about the conflicting countries regarding the claim of the Spratly Islands. China, during the meeting, revealed that they are getting ready to create guidelines for the behaviors in the said islands. Philippines on the other hand, is planning to take China to the U.N. tribunal that handles maritime border disputes upon hearing what China is planning to do.

Amidst all the troubles in the mentioned group of islands, Filipinos residing in the area are hoping that someday they will gain enough people to come visit the islands and is thinking about working a solution for it. The islands has no Internet connections, cars, shopping malls and the Mayor of the islands are planning to take actions to cater these holes to lure more people in. This is due to the fact that Philippine lawmakers believe that sustainable livelihood in fishing and tourism would become great arguments for the Philippines in its territorial claim in the Spratly Islands.

Additional Ray of the Mighty Philippine Flag

Senate Bill (SB) 3307 and House Bill (HB) 6424 states the inclusion of yet another ray of the Philippine flags’ sun. The two bills proposed the amendments to Republic Act. 849, or An Act of Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.

The bill was approved by the Bicameral Committee reasoning that the additional ray of the sun in the Philippine flag symbolizes the bravery, courage and integrity of Muslim Filipinos who fought for our country’s independence. The principal author of the bill, Senator Richard Gordon, stated that it would strengthen the unity among Filipinos regardless of religions and beliefs.

The three stars of the Philippine Flag symbolizes the three major geographical division of the country: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao; and the eight rays of the sun represents the eight provinces that revolted against the Spanish Regime - who enslaved the Filipinos for many years - they are: Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac. Gordon said that the ninth ray, which will be added soon, was proposed because behind each story of the great Filipino Heroes who fought for our country’s independence, lie the story of mostly forgotten Muslim heroes, including Lapu-lapu, Sultan Kudarat, and Rajah Sulayman, who were considered as the pioneering Heroes of the country by rejecting invaders during their time.

The reconciled bill will be ratified next week – last week of September 2009 - by the Senate and the House of Representatives, that states the including of another ray of the Philippine Flags’ sun.

Sources: www.yahoo.com.ph