Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday sought a Senate inquiry into the possible involvement of some Filipinos in the construction of China’s artificial islands and military installations in the West Philippine Sea.
Hontiveros, in filing Senate Resolution No. 509, said it is imperative that the Senate probe deeper into the issue and check if there were local government officials who colluded with the Chinese companies that were involved in the construction of these military facilities in the WPS.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. had earlier said he would recommend to President Duterte to cancel government contracts with Chinese companies that helped China in building military installations and artificial islands in the disputed maritime region.
“May sabwatan ba ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno, sinumang indibidwal, o mga grupo sa Pilipinas sa patuloy na pagtatayo ng artificial islands at military installations ng Tsina sa mga isla natin? (The question is was there collusion with any government official, individual or group here in the Philippines that paved the way for China’s construction of artificial islands and military installations on our islands?” Hontiveros asked.
“It’s been recently revealed that Chinese companies that participate in the building of military islands in the West Philippine Sea have projects with the Philippine government, so it is not hard to suspect dubious engagement by either party. Ano pa ang hindi natin alam? Iyan ang gusto natin imbestigahan at maitigil (What else don’t we know? That’s what we want to investigate and eventually stop),” the senator said.
The lawmaker added that China has been militarizing the West Philippine Sea by constructing long-range sensor rays, port facilities, runways, bunkers for fuel and weapons, and barracks for military personnel on these artificial islands.
Thus, she said, it is alarming that the island bases have put the Philippine archipelago within range of Chinese combat aircraft and bombers which is “a clear threat to our national security.”
“Ang mga artificial islands na ito ay ginagawa ding outpost ng mga Chinese maritime militia na nanghaharass ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino (These artificial islands were also converted into an outpost by the Chinese maritime militia and harassed our Filipino fishermen),” the senator said.
“Hindi lang seguridad ng ating bansa ang nasa panganib, pati narin ang buhay at hanapbuhay ng ating mga mangingisda, (Not only is our nation in danger, the life and livelihood of our fishermen are also at risk),” she added.
Hontiveros also pointed out reports that soil, sand, and other materials have allegedly been taken from the Philippines to construct China’s artificial islands.
“Imposibleng walang sabwatan na nangyayari kung madaling nagawa ito ng Tsina sa sarili nating bansa. Sino ang mga traydor na ito? (It’s impossible that no collusion ever happened here if China was easily able to do this right in our own territory. Who are the traitors?),” she asked.
“This should be investigated immediately and anyone found to have colluded with foreign powers to militarize the West Philippine Sea should be penalized,” Hontiveros said.
The senator said it is imperative that the government fight against China’s intimidation and assert its rights on the West Philippine Sea.
“Kahit pa malaki ang kalaban, huwag tayong matakot tumindig. Tayo ang may karapatan sa West Philippine Sea. Ipaglaban natin ang karapatang ito para sa ating soberanya at para sa dignidad ng bawat Pilipino, (Even if the enemy is strong, let’s not be afraid to stand. We have all the rights to the WPS. Let’s fight for this right to preserve our sovereignty and the dignity of every Filipino),” Hontiveros said.