This is appalling, but again, not surprising.
Senate Deputy Minority leader Sen. Risa Hontiveros had this to say as she once again criticized China for their illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea where at least 135 Chinese militia ships were seen “swarming” Julian Felipe Reef.
Hontiveros said the Philippine government should be “doing more than fire off a diplomatic protest” this time to thwart Chinese authorities from any reclamation activities in the area.
“This is appalling, but again, not surprising. We have seen this before. In 2021, over 200 ships were moored near Julian Felipe Reef, urging our government to then file a diplomatic protest. In 2022, they returned again. Ngayon, umulit nanaman (Now, they are doing it again),” Hontiveros said in a statement on Tuesday, December 5.
“Araw-araw, may plano ang Tsina na saklawin ang mga teritoryo natin. Maliwanag na sila talaga ang nag-uumpisa ng gulo, hindi tayo (Everyday, China is planning to seize our territories. It’s very clear they are the ones instigating trouble, not us),” she pointed out.
“No matter how many times our government and the international community condemn China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, Beijing simply does not listen,” she said.
“By now, we should be doing more than fire off a diplomatic protest. We have to execute actionable on-the-ground steps to prevent the Chinese from any reclamation and base-building activities in Julian Felipe,” the senator added.
Hontiveros said she has faith that the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea will finally do so and elevate the country’s complaint before the international community.
At the same time, Hontiveros lauded the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for standing their ground despite the presence of Chinese militia in the area.
“Tiwala ako na gagawin na ito ng (I trust the future actions of the) National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea,” she said.
“The Philippine Coast Guard must also be applauded for upholding their duty to patrol our seas despite China's overwhelming presence. Dapat maparami narin natin ang hanay nila para tuluyan nang maitaboy ang Tsina (We need to increase their numbers so we can successfully drive away China from the place),” she added.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also slammed the swarming of Chinese Militia Vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef calling it “a continued and blatant disrespect to our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“Masyado ng garapal ang Chinese Government by continuing their expansionism under Xi Jinping (The Chinese government is being too greedy by continuing their expansionism under President Xi Jinping),” Ejercito lamented.