Senators on Thursday, April 29, rallied behind President Duterte in refusing to pull out the Philippines' patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"We must remain resolute in protecting our maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea," Senator Grace Poe said in a statement.
"Our presence in the West Philippine Sea is an unyielding display that we are standing our ground on what is ours and securing our people's productive access to our marine resources. We must stand firm against illegal occupants in our waters," she added.
Senator Joel Villanueva said Duterte's pronouncements countering China's demand "is a sentiment shared by all Filipinos."
"Atin po ang West Philippine Sea kaya marapat lamang na ipagpatuloy ang regular na patrolya sa ating karagatan bilang pagpapakita ng soberanya (West Philippines Sea is ours so regular patrols in our waters should continue to show our sovereignty)," he told reporters in a separate message.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, meanwhile, pointed out that the Philippines does not seek war with China in protecting its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) against the latter's incusions.
He said also supports the Department of Defense (DND) telling off China for demanding to the Philippines to stop its activities in the WPS.
"I am grateful to the Chinese for their assistance to our vaccination program. But that has nothing to do with our interest in the West Philippine Sea," Recto stressed, referring to Duterte saying that the Philippines owed a debt of gratitude to China.
Duterte maintained China is a "good friend" to the country, despite its aggressions.
To this statement, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros also said: "Wala tayong utang na loob sa Tsina. Hindi kapalit ng mga donasyong bakuna ang ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea (We do not owe anything to China. Our sovereign rights over the West Philippines Sea cannot be exchanged for the vaccines they have donated)."
"China’s incursions are not even acts of a good neighbor. With 'good friends' like that, who needs enemies?" she added
Like Recto, Hontiveros reminded the President that "no one wants war". And while she welcomed Duterte's order to proceed with the local maritime patrols, "he should not think that standing up to our rights equate to starting a war".
In his address on Wednesday, April 28, Duterte said he would not forge any compromise on the Philippines' sovereignty. This was after China demanded the country to "respect" its own sovereignty and interests over the WPS.
"I declare now, do not leave. Period," Duterte told the country's navy and coast guard.
"Bakit kayo aalis diyan? Atin 'yan, eh (Why should we leave? That's ours)," he further said.