Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, July 4 called on the Senate to prioritize deliberations on Senate Resolution No. 659 that seeks to get the Philippine government to sponsor a resolution before the UN General Assembly to call on China to stop its harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Hontiveros made the call after the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and militia engaged and “pursued” two Philippine ships in a resupply mission last June 30, according to the United States Air Force. “China is reckless and irresponsible. Her continued attempts to illegally occupy our territories only demonstrate her complete disrespect of international law,” Hontiveros said in a statement. “This is why it is crucial that the Philippine government raise the West Philippine Sea issue to the UN General Assembly,” the senator said. “I hope that the Senate can tackle my resolution regarding this as soon as session resumes, as we need the support of the wider international community to stop China’s unbridled aggression,” the lawmaker said. Hontiveros, who filed the resolution, has said she will strive to get majority of the members of the Senate to support SR No. 659. The deputy minority leader said she is positive that majority of her colleagues in the Senate will support the resolution as part of their efforts to stand against Chinese aggression. “If the Chinese authoritarian regime truly wants to be the regional leader, she should act responsibly by de-escalating tensions in the region, instead of fanning the flames by engaging in these rash actions outside her territorial sea,” she said. Nevertheless, Hontiveros said she hopes that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other defense establishments should simultaneously come up with alternate means to resupply troops in Ayungin Shoal in order to secure them from harassmen and interdiction by the Chinese while the government is pursuing political and diplomatic means to resolve the dispute. “Government should expend all possible resources to defend our sovereignty and keep our people safe,” she stressed. Hontiveros earlier said the proposal to raise the WPS issue to the UNGA was first suggested by former Senior Associate Justice Carpio, who pointed out that the government can win should the matter of China complying with the Hague ruling or the 2016 Arbitral Award be put to a vote. She said a UNGA win can have a meaningful outcome, not only for the Philippines, but also for other neighboring countries, whose peace and security is also threatened by China's aggression. “The UNGA vote is one way to do it and I hope we can truly unite and rally behind this cause," Hontiveros stressed. Congress is set to open the 2nd Regular Session on July 24 before President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA).