'Excuse me': Makabayan solon tells China who the real intruder is
At A Glance
- House Deputy Minority leader ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro is prodding the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to take diplomatic action to address China's baseless accusations about the Philippines.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Flag of China (Rep. Castro's office, Unsplash)
House Deputy Minority leader ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro is prodding the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to take diplomatic action to address China's baseless accusations about the Philippines.
This, after the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the Philippines of intruding in Scarborough Shoal "without their permission".
Castro, a member of the militant Makabayan bloc, strongly denounced this statement Wednesday, Sept. 27 and expressed her disbelief at China's audacity in making such claims.
"Excuse me, it is the Chinese government who is intruding in our territory and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Now they have the temerity to say that we need their permission for our fisherfolk to fish in our own waters," the teacher-solon said, referring to incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Castro called on the Philippine government---specifically the DFA--to assert its sovereignty and defend the rights of Filipino fisherfolk in Scarborough Shoal. She urged the agency to take diplomatic action in responding to China.
"We must stand firm against China's attempts to undermine our sovereignty. The Philippine government must prioritize the welfare and interests of our people, especially our fisherfolk who heavily rely on the resources in Scarborough Shoal," Castro underscored.
"China should wake up from its delusion and face reality. The Philippines has every right to protect its territorial integrity and ensure the welfare of its people. China has no right to dictate our actions within our own territory," she added.