Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for challenging a Chinese research vessel that encroached into the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Hontiveros said she is proud of the AFP for asserting the country’s rights and sovereignty over its maritime territory.
“I am proud of our Armed Forces for challenging Chinese encroachment into our territories. This move tells the world that the Philippines will defy any nation that violates the international rules-based order,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“Boundaries have been set: China must now respect these boundaries,” she stressed.
Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP’s Northern Luzon Command chief and commander of the Area Task Force of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea had recently announced that the military was able to drive away research vessel “Jiageng.”
The vessel was spotted 59 nautical miles northwest of Calayan island group in Cagayan last September. It was also seen only 50 nautical miles off Ilocos Norte on that same month.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have said it is preparing to file a diplomatic protest against China following this latest intrusion.
“Commendations are in order for our military officials. Kitang-kita ang puso at diwa ng kanilang pagka-Pilipino sa pagtindig nila laban sa Chinese vessel na ito (You can see they are being Filipino in their hearts and minds when they stood against these Chinese vessel,” she pointed out.
“Klarong-klaro din ang mensaheng ipinahatid nila: atin ang Pinas, (Their message to them is also clear: the Philippines is ours),” the senator stressed.
But Hontiveros lamented that China is not slowing down on its adventurism in the region, pointing to an Asian Maritime Tranparency Initiative report that stated there was an 80 percent increase in the presence of Chinese Coast Guards in Scarborough Shoal this year compared to 2019.
The lawmaker said she hopes the Executive department will heed her call for the government to craft and implement a clear diplomatic and military strategic framework against China’s provocations, after a diplomatic protest over the illegal confiscation of Filipino fisherfolks’ devices by the Chinese Coast Guard in Bajo de Masinloc.
“China must, once and for all, recognize and honor the 2016 arbitral ruling that favors the Philippines in our maritime dispute,” she reiterated.
“It is getting more and more infuriating to learn of China’s continued incursions in our region,” she lamented.
“Respeto naman sana. Mapapanatili natin ang kapayapaan kapag may pagkilala at may respeto tayo sa soberanya at teritoryo ng isa’t isa, (We only want respect. We can maintain peace if they recognize and respect each other’s sovereignty and territory),” Hontiveros emphasized.