The 16 officials from the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan that were barred from entry into Chinese territory were awarded by the coalition of Akbayan Party-list and Atin Ito.

Touted as the “Kalayaan 16,” the officials received the recognition titled the “West Philippine Sea Heroes Award” for their bravery in the face of pressure from the Chinese government during a press conference this Tuesday.

Akbayan’s President, Rafaela David, identified the individuals as “modern day heroes” and said that the attack did more good than bad for the country as it allowed Filipinos to become more united.

“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,” she stated.

Among the people named in the ban were Kalayaan Vice Mayor Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda and Councilor Francis Polizon, who were present at the event to accept the award.

It was last week when China issued bans on the entry of Albayda, Polizon, and the other members of their government to its soil as a form of retaliation for the municipality's own issued bans on former and current Chinese Ambassadors.

In the words of Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng on February 10, the order was made “based on the principle of reciprocity.”

Through the conference, the Akbayan Party-list sought to reaffirm its stance on protecting the rights of Filipinos near the West Philippine Sea with proper legislation.

Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno also looked to promote the passing of the party-list’s proposed WPS Education Bill, which was focused on providing proper education when it comes to the issue.

“When our people know the truth about the West Philippine Sea, it becomes harder to deceive and silence us,” he stated.