Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros today urged Malacañang to withdraw infrastructure agreements with Chinese companies that are involved in the construction of military installations and artificial islands in the West Philippines Sea.
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Hontiveros made the call amid reports of China launching missiles in the disputed waters, saying it is disturbing that the government has engaged with Chinese companies involved in the destruction of its own territories.
“Tayo na nga ang ninanakawan ng teritoryo, tapos magiging kasabwat din pala ang gobyerno sa pagnanakaw na ito? (Our own territories are being stolen from us, and yet the government is involved in this pillage?)” Hontiveros said.
On the list of the companies that contributed to the dredging and construction of military islands in the West Philippine Sea -- as released by the US Department of Commerce -- is China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC), a company whose subsidiaries have entered into several projects with the Philippine government.
According to Hontiveros, the Philippine government currently has five Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with this Chinese company. She said CCCC subsidiaries have MoUs for the Davao Coastline and Port Development Project, Manila Harbor Center Reclamation Project, Cebu International and Bulk Terminal Project, and the Manila-Clark Railway.
The senator said that another Chinese company, China Harbor Engineering Co. (CHEC), also won a bid to build an access road to New Clark City.
“Meron sa Manila, Davao, Cebu, at Clark. Hindi puwedeng magpatuloy ang mga proyektong ito (They have projects in Manila, Davao, Cebu, and Clark). If we continue with these deals, it may be equivalent to giving up our territories,” the senator warned.
“These predatory Chinese companies must be stopped. Let us not give up our sovereignty for infrastructure that can be led by many other companies that do not actively engage in encroaching on our territories."
“Huwag natin isuko ang ating mga teritoryo para sa iilang proyekto na wala ding kasiguraduhang tunay na makakatulong sa Pilipino (Let us not give up our territories in exchange for some projects that we know for sure won’t help the Filipino),” the lawmaker stressed.
“Bukas, sa pagdiwang natin ng 'Heroes Day,' sana huwag nating kalimutan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani na buong pusong ipinaglaban ang kalayaan at kasarinlan ng ating inang bayan (As we celebrate ‘Heroes Day’ tomorrow, let’s not forget the sacrifices of our heroes who fought for the freedom and independence of our nation),” Hontiveros said.