Akbayan Partylist, together with the Atin Ito coalition, formally conferred the “WPS Heroes Award” today upon the “Kalayaan 16,” the sixteen local officials of the Municipality of Kalayaan who were recently targeted by a retaliatory travel ban by the Chinese government:
“Kalayaan 16’ are modern day heroes. They prove that there are no “casual commentators” when it comes to our sovereignty. Ordinary Filipinos are at the frontlines of our defense of the West Philippine Sea. Ang pangha-harass ng Beijing ay mas lalo lang nagpatibay sa pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino,” said Akbayan Party President Rafaela David.
David, who also served as civilian commander of the historic Atin Ito Civilian missions to the West Philippine Sea, further emphasized that Beijing’s attempt to intimidate local officials has only served to validate their legitimate authority over the territory: “China’s retaliatory ban has, in truth, backfired. China’s very act of banning the Kalayaan 16 is an effective recognition of the authority of the Municipality of Kalayaan as an official government unit of the Philippines.”
Representing the awardees, Kalayaan Vice Mayor MP Albayda accepted the distinction, together with Kalayaan Sangguniang Bayan Member Francis Polizon and other personnel of the municipal government. Vice Albayda said on behalf of their group, “Ngayong panahon pinakamasarap maging Pilipino. Karangalang maituturing ang mamatay para sa bayan. Kadakilaan ang mabuhay para rito!”
Following the awarding, the Akbayan Reform Bloc laid out a concrete roadmap to protect the West Philippine Sea (WPS) through legislation that will counter Chinese propaganda and support efforts to further “civilianize” the West Philippine Sea.
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno highlighted the necessity of the WPS Education Bill (HB 1625) to combat misinformation and “Tsinador” narratives in honor of the brave heroes defending the WPS: “The ‘Kalayaan 16’ are heroes because they represent our nation’s collective struggle to defend our territory and sovereignty in the WPS. Like them, we must all stand firm against intimidation and harassment by foreign powers. That is why we must pass our WPS Education Bill. When our people know the truth about the West Philippine Sea, it becomes harder to deceive and silence us.”
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña pledged to ensure that the bravery of Kalayaan residents is matched by government investment: “Our support for our Kalayaan Island residents goes beyond mere rhetoric. Akbayan will push for greater budgetary support for the civilian community—from basic services to infrastructure,” Cendaña asserted. “Hindi natin sila pwedeng iwan sa ere lalo na ngayong mas tumitindi ang pang-bubully ng China sa mga opisyal at mga residente ng Kalayaan,” Cendaña emphasized.
For her part, Akbayan Rep. Dadah Ismula focused on the economic empowerment of civilian communities by developing Pag-asa Island and its adjoining islands as ecotourism destinations: “Tutulungan natin ang komunidad ng Kalayaan na gawing sentro ng turismo at kabuhayan ang kanilang isla bilang pagtindig sa ating karapatan. By making portions of Kalayaan as destinations for ecotourism, we are not afraid to take care and develop what is rightfully ours.”
Akbayan together with other members of the WPS bloc in the house filed last week a resolution commending the Kalayaan 16, and declaring the residents of Kalayaan as “Outstanding Filipinos of 2026”.
