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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China's presence in WPS an insult to PH independence—Hontiveros

China's presence in WPS an insult to PH independence—Hontiveros

Published Jun 11, 2021 01:56 pm

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday said the continued presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea and the government kowtowing to Beijing’s interests is an insult to Philippine independence.

That is why Filipinos, especially the country’s government officials should take a united stand against the gradual erosion of the country’s sovereignty in the WPS as it commemorates the country’s Independence Day, Hontiveros said.

“I call on my fellow patriots to asset our nation’s dignity, pride and sovereign rights. I call on all Filipinos to proclaim—so that China and the other world powers will hear—that the Philippines and the West Philippine Sea are ours,” she said.

“No calling China our best friend; no downplaying of our 2016 victory at The Hague; no kneeling to China. The time to stand up is now,” the senator reiterated.

Hontiveros also took exception at former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s claim President Duterte’s current foreign policy is the “best, practical, and realistic we can have to serve and protect our national interest.”

“How has likening our 2016 Hague victory to a piece of trash served our national interest? How has calling China a best friend helped our country? The pivot to China has not resulted in resplendent gains for Filipinos,” the lawmaker pointed out.

“The administration’s pro-Beijing foreign policy has not reduced China’s aggression against the Philippines,” she lamented.

She said it would be to the nation’s interest if the government finds the time to defend its own citizens and own resources.

“A policy of appeasement and accommodation is not a realistic foreign policy, it is an injudicious one,” she said.

“As we celebrate the Philippines’ Independence Day, I hope that our people, moreso our own present and former government officials, retire the notion that the Philippines is a weak country, and therefore, should just let China be,” she pointed out.

“We’re not a nation of cowards. Our ancestors did not fight just to surrender our dignity, rights and freedom,” the senator stressed.

Related Tags

PH independence day Risa Hontiveros West Philippine Sea china
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