Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday renewed her call for the Senate to look into the possible collaboration and collusion of some Filipino entities in the construction of China’s artificial islands and military installations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO)
Hontiveros said it is imperative that the Upper Chamber investigates the issue as China brazenly takes over parts of the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“Sino ang nang-traydor sa mga Pilipino? May nagbenta ba ng mga teritoryo natin? (Who was the traitor among the Filipinos? Did somebody sell our territories?) We need to find out,” Hontiveros said in a statement on April 7.
“We need to create measures to prevent acts inimical to our national security, including identifying and penalizing Filipinos colluding or collaborating with foreign powers to militarize the WPS,” she added.
Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 509 asking the Senate to start investigating reports of continuous dredging and reclamation around the territory claimed by the Philippines, including Panatag Shoal, as well as Panganiban, Kagitingan, Calderon, Burgos, Mabini, Hughes, and Zamora Reefs.
The senator said it appears that the soil, sand, and other materials taken from the Philippines were used to construct China’s artificial islands.
“Napapalibutan na tayo ng Tsina. Ang mga artificial islands na dati ay mukhang mga patag lang ay may malalaking imprastraktura na ngayon (We are now surrounded by China. The artificial islands that looked flat before have turned into massive infrastructures),” she pointed out.
“We need to dismantle these structures that occupy the territories we claim, and while doing so, we must ensure that Filipinos, who may have been in cahoots with the Chinese government in building these structures, will pay for their treachery,” she said.
Hontiveros earlier joined other lawmakers in supporting Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s call for the removal of the Chinese vessels moored in the Julian Felipe Reef. They also criticized the Chinese embassy for insulting Lorenzana in retaliation to his statement.
“Nakakakilabot at nakakagalit ang bilis at yabang ng Tsina sa pag-aangkin ng ating teritoryo. Dati, sabi ng Tsina nandoon sila sa WPS because of ‘inclement weather,’ pero ngayon, lantaran nalang inangkin ang karagatan natin at nagtayo pa ng mga distrito (China’s arrogance in claiming our territory is just horrible and infuriating. Before, they claimed that they were in the WPS because of inclement weather, but now they openly claim our seas and even built districts on it),” she lamented.
“Not only do these islands feature long-range sensor rays and port facilities, these have also been used as barracks for military personnel,” the lawmaker further said.
Hontiveros said she would work with the Senate Committee on National Defense, chaired by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, to make Senate Resolution No. 509 a priority.
“I am positive that the more we could look into this issue, the more that we would be able to know how to ultimately oblige China to pay for her shameless adventurism," she said.
"Kung may Pilipino ngang kasabwat sa lantarang pang-aabuso ng Tsina, hindi rin sila makakawala. Panahon na para tunay na unahin ang kapakanan ng ating inang bayan (If there were Filipinos who were part of China’s abuses, they won't be able to escape. It’s high time we truly prioritize the needs of this nation),” Hontiveros stressed.