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'It threatened regional peace and stability': Romualdez sounds off on latest incident with China in WPS

Philippines | National

'It threatened regional peace and stability': Romualdez sounds off on latest incident with China in WPS

By Ellson Quismorio

At A Glance

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has told China that it's latest action in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) "threatened regional peace and stability", among other things.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has told China that it's latest action in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) "threatened regional peace and stability", among other things.

"We, at the House of Representatives, vehemently condemn China's recent actions that led to the collision of its coast guard vessel 5203 with the private resupply vessel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Romualdez said in a statement Monday, Oct. 23.

"Such actions not only jeopardized the lives of those onboard but also threatened regional peace and stability," he noted.

On Sunday, Oct. 22, a Chinese militia vessel tried to block a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship and an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-chartered boat on a resupply mission to to Filipino troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

"We implore China to adhere to international maritime laws and standards, act with restraint, and guarantee the safety of all vessels in the [WPS]," said Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House.

The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president said that such incidents "cannot be overlooked".

"The Philippine government will exhaust all diplomatic initiatives and mobilize the support of the international community to prevent these unlawful acts by its neighboring country — a country that is not just a trading partner but is also expected to be an ally," Romualdez said.

Related Tags

Martin Romualdez West Philippine Sea

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