Eugenio B. Bito-onon Jr. explained

Eugenio B. Bito-onon Jr. is a Filipino politician and member of the Liberal Party,[1] who has been elected Kalayaan Mayor twice, serving since 2010.[2] He was re-elected in May 2013, winning his re-election bid with 108 votes against rivals Noel Osorio (69 votes) and Rosendo Mantes (46 votes).[3] Bit-onon failed in his re-election bid in 2016,[3] coming in second place with 59 votes and losing to the eventual winner Roberto "Choy" M, del Mundo with 142 votes.[4]

Bito-onon is a pioneer and town planner who moved to Thitu Island in 1997 to help strengthen Filipino sovereignty claims to the South China Sea. Believing that a civilian presence helps to strengthen Filipino claims to the South China Sea.[5] Bito-onon helped to establish the first deliberately settled civilian town in the Spratlys on Thitu Island in 2001. In June 2012, he helped establish the Pag-Asa Elementary School, the first school on Thitu Island. Referred to by Hayton as Cloma's heir, Bito-onon also oversaw the completion of a small statue of Tomas Cloma on Thitu Island.

Bito-onon is a strong supporter of Filipino sovereignty and vocal critic of Chinese activities in the South China Sea.[6] Bit-onon has also actively promoted international awareness of the Filipino view of the dispute, having hosted and acted as a guide for multiple international news organizations, including Seth Doane from CBS News, Eric Campbell from ABC News,[7] and other reporters, including ones from The New York Times,[8] CNN[9] and the Asahi Shimbun,[10] in tours of the Filipino-held islands of the South China Sea. He has had several encounters with the Chinese Coast Guard while travelling around the Filipino-occupied Spratly Islands.[11]

Bito-onon advocates greater US involvement in the South China Sea dispute.[12] He has visited the US and held meetings with the Filipino-American community to promote awareness and elicit support for his cause.[11] [13] He also promotes turning the Spratly Islands into an ecotourism zone.[3] [14] [15]

Bito-onon claims that the energy resources in the South China Sea are enough to support China's needs for the next 105 years. Thus, he believes that the Philippines should occupy the remaining unoccupied islets in the South China Sea, as the possible energy resources would also safeguard Filipino energy independence.

Based primarily in Puerto Princesa, where his office resides,[16] Bito-onon is generally only able to visit Thitu Island once a year. His wife lives and works in Puerto Princesa.[17] Together, they have two sons.

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mayor of Kalayaan Island ready to face challenger. Politiko Luzon. Oct 27, 2015. Aug 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034113/http://www.luzon.politics.com.ph/2015/08/06/mayor-of-kalayaan-island-ready-to-face-challenger/. March 4, 2016. dead.
  2. Web site: Q. and A.: Eugenio B. Bito-onon Jr. on China's Island Expansion. . Javier C. . Hernández. September 28, 2015 . 27 October 2015.
  3. Web site: Election fever sweeps Kalayaan Island town. . Jaime . Laude. August 6, 2015 . 27 October 2015.
  4. Web site: dela Cruz. Ace. President-elect Duterte most voted in Pag-asa Island. Updating Filipinos Online. 11 May 2016.
  5. Web site: Philippines' human buffer against China's land grab. . June 29, 2015. 27 October 2015.
  6. Web site: China's new fishing policy 'absurd'- Kalayaan island mayor. Philippines News Agency. January 15, 2014. 27 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140122092516/http://interaksyon.com/article/78762/chinas-new-fishing-policy-absurd--kalayaan-island-mayor. 22 January 2014. dead.
  7. Web site: Reef Madness. Campbell. Eric. ABC News (Australia). May 20, 2014. 27 October 2015.
  8. Web site: A Game of Shark And Minnow. The New York Times. Oct 23, 2013. 27 October 2015.
  9. Web site: Wrecks, rats and roaches: Standoff in the South China Sea. CNN. Tomas. Etzler. July 2014. 27 October 2015.
  10. Web site: Phl fishing boat harassed by Chinese coast guard. . Jaime . Laude. August 19, 2014. 27 October 2015.
  11. Web site: Interview: A Philippine Perspective from the Middle of the South China Sea. The Diplomat. Prashanth. Parameswaran. September 29, 2015. 27 October 2015.
  12. Web site: Mayor in Spratlys: Philippines 'caught between 2 lovers'. Rappler. Paterno. Esmaquel II. Oct 2, 2015. 27 October 2015 .
  13. Web site: Mayor rallies Fil-Am support for threatened island in West PH Sea. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Jun . Nucum. October 10, 2015. 27 October 2015.
  14. Web site: Philippines Eyes 'Ecotourism Zone' in Disputed S. China Sea. Voice of America. Simone. Orendain. August 24, 2015. 27 October 2015 .
  15. Web site: Kalayaan to Lure Tourists Soon. Palawan Times. Jun 1, 2015. 27 October 2015.
  16. Web site: Countries Around South China Sea Bolster Claims With Island Outposts. The Wall Street Journal. Trefor. Moss. May 23, 2014. 27 October 2015.
  17. Web site: Filipinos fly flag in South China Sea. Zamboanga Today. July 19, 2011. 27 October 2015.

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