Senators on Friday, November 24 rejected China’s accusations the Philippines is stirring up trouble in the South China Sea saying it has always been the other party that is causing concerns in the area.

This, after President Marcos announced last Tuesday, November 21, the joint patrol between Philippines and United States (US) military forces in the West Philippine Sea in a bid to enhance the interoperability between the two countries.

“It has always been China who stirs up trouble in the West Philippine Sea, not the Philippines,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Our country should be free to patrol our waters with whomever we choose, whenever we want. This is our right as a sovereign nation. In fact, as an advocate of multilateralism in our foreign relations, I have long called for joint patrols with other nations, not just the US,” the senator said.

Hontiveros also said she supports any possible future joint maritime exercises with neighbors in Southeast Asia, and with Japan, Australia, India, and other naval powers who are committed to a rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea and the entire South China Sea.

“China, however, wants to stop us from engaging with our allies because she knows she cannot prevail against a coalition. If she has a problem with our presence in our own waters, she is more than welcome to leave,” the Senate deputy minority leader stressed.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also said he finds it unfortunate for China to accuse the Philippines of promoting any problem in the WPS considering that it has been the Chinese Coast Guard who has been “water cannoning our people.”

“We are not stirring trouble. Who are the ones una nagsi-stir ng (who are stirring up) trouble by water cannoning our people? Sino nauuna, diba sila (Who is starting it, aren’t they)?” Dela Rosa pointed out at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Pasay City.

“Joint exercises lang naman yan, kung ang dating sa kanila (if their impression is that) trouble is being stirred. Annual nga dapat yan eh (that should have been done annually) periodic exercises being conducted by US-Philippines and other allied countries,” he also said.

And while participating at the APPF, where even China’s parliamentarians have been invited, Dela Rosa said Philippine lawmakers are still hopeful of a peaceful collaboration with neighboring countries regarding a peaceful settlement of disputes in advancing and maintaining international peace and security.

“Mas maganda (because) without that cooperation, collaboration with other neighbors our voice cannot be heard loudly. Kailangang magkaisa tayo (We need to stand united),” he said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino also rejected China’s assumptions saying “it’s a right” of the Philippines to conduct maritime patrols jointly with its allies.

“It’s a right, lugar natin yun eh (that’s ours),” Tolentino reiterated.

Like Dela Rosa, Tolentino also said he is disappointed over the Chinese parliamentarians refusal to agree to a multi-lateral approach in resolving maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

China, the senator said, still insists on holding bilateral talks regarding any concerns on the SCS or WPS.

“Ever since naman ayaw nila ma-involve yung (they do not want the involvement of) other countries but Vietnam is willing to enter into a dialogue concerning the code of conduct…China lang ang ayaw (Only China refuses),” Tolentino stated.

Tolentino said he too feels frustrated everytime Chinese counterparts refuses to cooperate.

“Ang China, anything about maritime, anything (related) about UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas), anything about rules-based, ayaw nila (they don’t like),” he lamented.