Tomás Cloma
| Tomás Cloma | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Tomás Cloma y Arbolente September 18, 1904 Panglao, Bohol, Philippine Islands |
| Died | September 18, 1996 (aged 92) Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation | Businessman and Lawyer |
| Parent(s) | Ciriaco Cloma y Arbotante Irenea Arbolente y Bongay |
Tomás Arbolente Cloma Sr. (born Tomás Cloma y Arbolente; 18 September 1904 – 18 September 1996) was a Filipino lawyer and businessman from the province of Bohol. Cloma was born in Panglao to Ciriaco Cloma y Arbotante and Irenea Arbolente y Bongay, who were both natives of Panglao.
He is best known for establishing the micronation of Freedomland in the Spratly Islands.
Tomas Cloma Sr., owner of a fishing fleet, and owner of the private maritime training institute, the PMI Colleges (formerly known as Philippine Maritime Institute), aspired to open a cannery and develop guano deposits in the Spratlys. It was principally for economic reasons, therefore, that he "discovered" and claimed islands in the Spratlys.
In January 1935, the Committee of Reviewing Water and Land Maps of China (ROC) published both Chinese names and English names of 132 insular features in the South China Sea.
In April 1935, the Committee of Reviewing Water and Land Maps of China (ROC) published map with locations of feature in the South China Sea.
In 1947, it was reported that Tomás Cloma "discovered" certain island in the Spratlys
In 1950, Philippine President Quirino said that "as long as China (ROC) held the Spratlys, the Philippines would not press its own claim".
On May 11, 1956, Tomas Cloma Sr. together with 40 men, took formal possession of the islands, lying some 380 miles (612 km) west of the southern end of Palawan and named them Freedomland.
On May 15, 1956, Cloma issued and posted copies of his "Notice to the Whole World" on each of the islands as a manifestation of unwavering claims over the territory.
On May 31, 1956, Cloma declared the establishment of the Free Territory of Freedomland, ten days later he sent his second representation to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs informing the latter that the territory claimed was named Freedomland.
In latest June 1956, Cloma stole the China(ROC)'s national flag from the Taiping Island
On July 6, 1956, Cloma declared to the whole world his claim and establishment of a separate government with its capital on Flat Island (also known as Patag Island).
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Wikipedia