Flags of the Philippines (left), China (Unsplash)
A review of Philippine foreign policy toward China is in order. ‘’Her (China’s) incessant incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have threatened the livelihood and safety of Filipinos. We should have policies that reflect our resistance against her belligerent actions,’’ Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday, April 12. ‘’Palaging nakakabahala ang ginagawang pambubully ng Tsina hindi lang sa Taiwan, kundi pati na sa araw-araw na pambabastos niya sa soberanya ng Pilipinas (China’s constant bullying of Taiwan, including its violations of Philippine sovereignty, is a cause for concern),’’ she added. Hontiveros said the escalating tensions in Taiwan are worrisome but the Philippines should not be coaxed to participate in any kind of war. ‘’We have to uphold the constitutional mandate of peace as the instrument of national policy or the abandonment of war as an instrument of national policy,’’ she added. Hontiveros emphasized that the Philippines needs the the international community to help de-escalate and cool the tensions between the US and China especially around Taiwan. She said that the Philippines needs to have a stable coalition with neighboring countries that should be able to stop any conflict in the region. ‘’There should also be a review of our national policy toward China. Her incessant incursions in the [WPS] have threatened the livelihood and safety of Filipinos. We should have policies that reflect our resistance against her belligerent actions,’’ she pointed out. ‘’Should China intensify actions in Taiwan, we should also look into how to safeguard not only the Filipinos living in Taiwan but as well as those who are in the northern parts of the Philippines,’’ she added.