Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito on Tuesday, February 14 slammed the recent aggression displayed by the Chinese Coast Guard against the Philippine crew near Ayungin Shoal.
On February 6, 2023, a CCG vessel flashed a military grade laser light at the BRP Malapascua, temporarily blinding some of its crew members.
The Department of National Defense (DND) has strongly condemned the latest aggression but the Chinese embassy claimed that the Philippine Coast Guard was the one at fault and accused them of intrusion.
In light of the latest threat, Ejercito urged the Marcos government to expedite the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in order to strengthen the country's defense capabilities at the soonest time possible.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the recent aggression of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against one of our coastal guard vessels and its crew near Ayungin Shoal," Ejercito said.
"This is despite the fact that the BRP Malapascua was only supporting a naval resupply mission in the area," he said.
Ejercito commended the courage of the PCG for
taking up the challenge of patrolling the country's territorial waters against all odds.
"You are our first line of defense against any incursion," he stressed.
He also said the continuing construction of Chinese military facilities in the West Philippine Sea, and the CCG’s continuing harassment against our coastal guards and fisherfolks is a clear and present danger to our territorial sovereignty.
These acts, he said, "are unacceptable under any book."
"I am calling once more on the national government to expedite the modernization of our armed forces and the strengthening of our defense posture," he said.
"Given these recent incursions, we need to put up a naval force that can project a more respectable presence in the West Philippine Sea," added the senator.
"Moreover, this is the best time for us to work with our regional neighbors and defense partners in countering China’s aggression," he reiterated.