Senators on Sunday, August 6 crossed partylines in asking the government to heed the Senate’s recommendations on the West Philippine Sea following the Chinese Coast Guard’s (CCG) illegal use of water cannon against a Philippine vessel.
(Philippine Coast Guard/Facebook photo)
The CCG used water cannon against a Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) vessel escorting boats delivering supplies to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel in the West Philippine Sea last Saturday, August 5.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said the incident reaffirms the merit of the resolution the Senate has unanimously passed condemning China’s repeated harassment and incursions in the WPS.
“This is yet again a manifestation of its ‘might vs. right’ treatment of its peaceful neighbors. By its actions, it shows diplomatic duplicity, of preaching about amity, but practicing hostile behavior,” Zubiri said in a statement.
“Gusto naming makipagkaibigan, pero bakit China ang hirap mong mahalin (We want to be friends, but why is it hard to love China)?” he pointed out.
“This incident reaffirms the merit of the resolution the Senate has unanimously passed. Because China contemptuously ignore protests, all the more that we have to rally the world to condemn acts which have no place in a civilized order,” the Senate leader reiterated.
“It is clear that the Government of the People's Republic of China is deliberately ignoring the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that dismissed their baseless Nine Dash Line claim. At the same time, they are playing deaf to our diplomatic protests and warnings from our allies,” Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also said in a statement.
Ejercito lamented the fact that the incident happened shortly after the Senate of the Philippines approved a resolution seeking to raise China's bullying before the United Nations (UN) makes it even more insulting.
“We cannot let this slip. This is too much already! Nakakapikon na ang Tsina! Sobra na ang pambabastos ng Tsina sa ating Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, at mga mangingisda. Teritoryo, seguridad, at kapayapaan na ang nakataya rito!” Ejercito added.
Ejercito then urged the national government to heed the Senate's recent resolution on China's aggression and take decisive measures to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity.
“These measures will require us to expedite the modernization of the AFP and strengthen our defense cooperation program and pacts with our allies,” he said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, deputy minority leader, echoed the call: “Umaasa din ako na ang DFA ay sinisimulan na ang mga hakbang para ilapit sa iba’t ibang international fora ang walang katapusang panghihimasok ng Tsina (I hope that the Department of Foreign Affairs will start moves to bring this issue of China’s continuing harassment before different international fora).”
“The recently adopted Senate Resolution 718, with its precision and specific recommendations, is at their disposal,” Hontiveros said reffering to the recently approved measure condemning China’s repeated incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
Hontiveros said the CCG has absolutely “no right to block, let alone water cannon, our supply vessels.” “Wala silang karapatang gutumin ang mga Pilipino sa Ayungin Shoal (They have no right to starve our Filipino citizens in Ayungin Shoal),” she stressed.
She also insisted China’s repeated provocations are in complete violation of UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“I call on our regional neighbors and the broader international community to join the Philippines in condemning this dangerous behavior,” she said.
“I also hope our country can start joint patrols with other claimant countries in the SCS, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. Kailangan nating magtulungan para mapahinto ang agresibong mga aksyon ng Tsina (We need to help each other to stop these aggressive actions taken by China),” she stressed.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also called on the DFA to implement the courses of action stipulated in the resolution passed by the Senate to finally put an end into this harassment and bullying by China.
“This kind of bullying must stop!...We need to have a strong stance against the continuous harassment of the Chinese Coast Guard on our Philippine Coast Guard – in our very own territory!” Villanueva said.
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said the latest harassment by the CCG that happened within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf “is a direct affront to our efforts especially to assert and secure our sovereignty.”
“It would do well for China to remind its subjects to respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines and the internationally recognized right of freedom of navigation,” Revilla said.
“China's bullying only promotes discord and instability which does not do well for regional peace and harmony. We have long advocated for a coexistence built on respect and amity. And with this incident, we must put our foot down and draw the line where the safety and interest of our countrymen are endangered,” he stressed.
Revilla urged the Filipino people and the country’s leaders to remain steadfast in asserting the nation’s sovereign rights; China should reconsider their tactics and end these antics if they are sincere in promoting its relationship with the Philippines.
“The Chinese Ambassador has a lot of explaining to do, and must not shirk away from the obligation to shepherd the maintenance of diplomatic relations especially with yet another blatant disregard of our autonomy and sovereignty,” he stressed.