Some 2,000 Filipinos Participate In Independence Parade

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Some 2,000 Filipinos in Malaysia paraded Sunday in the heart of Kuala Lumpur to commemorate the 116th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippines Independence, which will be observed on June 12. Dubbed “Fiesta sa Embahada” or fiesta at the embassy, the event is much awaited by the Filipino community to gather and celebrate the Philippines’ Freedom Day, said the Philippines Ambassador to Malaysia, J Eduardo Malaya. “This is the third fiesta and the biggest so far. We have contingents from Sabah, Johor, Penang and other Filipino communities in Malaysia,” he told the media after the parade ended at the Philippines Embassy here. Organised by the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia (FFAM), the colourful parade passed the commercial district of Jalan Bukit Bintang. The parade began at 9.30 am led by six Harley Davidson motorbikes and a talented group of bagpipe players from Victoria Institution. “Filipino Muslims from Mindanao are strongly represented. Even young children undertaking Islamic studies are here,” he added, noting there are more than 500,000 Filipinos in Malaysia. Commenting on development in the Philippines post typhoon Haiyan last year and signing of the peace accord in March 27, Malaya said the country was enjoying economic and social renaissance. “The country has been through a lot. The Filipinos are resilient and that is why we are able to recover quickly.” Malaya also noted an upswing in Malaysia-Philippines bilateral ties during exchange of visits between President Benigno Aquino III and Prime Minister Najib Razak. “We look forward to closer and fruitful ties. A lot of people are interested to go to Manila, given the tremendous growth of the country’s economy. “We need to divert this enthusiasm and interest to Mindanao as the potential for agri-business, mining and small and medium economy businesses are boundless,” he added, saying that Mindanao is now peaceful. Commenting on the Comprehensive Agreement of Bangsamoro (CAB), he said the president was reviewing the bill and looking forward to endorse it for consideration by Congress. “The president's commitment is to implement the Bangsamoro regional south government within his term. He has ample time to put the legislation in place and institutionalise the reforms before he leaves office in May 2016.” Malaya said what is more important is for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippines government to have lasting peace and economic development. “This process will move forward and the president is committed to this. The MILF is also committed to it. “We owe it to the people in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro people to finally have peace because at the end of the day, this is not for the president nor the MILF. It is for those people,” he noted. -- BERNAMA