Hontiveros: China's stubborn growing occupation in West PH Sea 'angering'
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, October 28 said it is angering to see the persistent occupation of China at the West Philippine Sea.
“It is angering to see the continued and growing occupation of China in the West Philippine Sea. Ilang taon na natin pinapanawagan ang paglayas nila sa ating teritoryo pero nagbibingi-bingihan parin ang Tsina (We have been appealing for them to leave our territory for several years but China still turns a deaf ear),” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Hontiveros’ remark came after recent photos of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea surfaced online again.
“Matagal na nating alam ang pagtayo ng Tsina ng mga artificial islands sa ating karagatan at alam niya ang ating matinding pagtutol (We have known for a long time about China's construction of artificial islands in our ocean and he knows our strong opposition),” she said.
“The Philippines has not fallen short in making the Chinese gov’t aware of our assertion, not least by bringing the case to The Hague and securing the 2016 legal victory. Then and there, China should have halted her activities in the WPS,” she pointed out.
“Ngunit ang tigas talaga ng ulo (But they are really stubborn). China is making it hard for the Philippines and all the other claimant countries in the ASEAN to have a productive conversation and a consensual resolution of the matter,” she added.
“Siya ang may diperensya, hindi tayo, kaya siya ang mag-wasto (China is the one with the problem, not us, so he should shape up),” Hontiveros stressed.
Hontiveros said she is vouching on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s promise to protect the Philippines’ sovereignty and its terroritorial assets.
“The President had committed not to give up even a square inch of Philippine territory, so I expect that his administration takes definitive action on China’s arrogant contempt and disrespect for our sovereignty,” the senator said.
“Umaksyon na tayo ngayon bago pa tuluyang masakop ng gahamang dayuhan (Let's take action now before greedy nations can fully take over),” she reiterated.