Opposition Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ Pangilinan on Monday lamented that while the world is busy battling coronavirus disease (COVID-19), China is unabated in its militarization and expansionism in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO)
Pangilinan asked aloud whether China is using as ‘’geopolitical weapon’’ the COVID-19 vaccines it donated to the Philippines.
This followed the revelation by the Department of National Defense (DND) that there are 220 Chinese militia boats in Julian Felipe Reef (Union Reef) at the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party (LP), said he fully supports the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for coordinating with other government agencies in filing ‘’diplomatic protest over this clear provocative action.’’
‘’Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na mayroong nakitang Chinese warships sa lugar (This is not the first time that Chinese warships are seen in the area),’’ he said.
‘’We are behind the government in asserting our rights in our seas. We may not be as strong militarily but we are certainly strong legally, morally, and diplomatically,’’ he stressed.
‘’Di man tayo kasing laki o kasing lakas ng kanilang military, tayo naman ay nasa tama dahil atin ‘to (We may not be as big or as strong compared to China’s military, but we are right in our position),’’ he added.