(National Task Force for West Philippine Sea)

The timing of China’s recent acts of aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could be part of a wider pattern that connects these incidents to the escalating political tension in the country, a ranking lawmaker said.

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega gave this observation following reports of Chinese vessels once again using water cannons on Philippine authorities near Bajo de Masinloc, otherwise known as Scarborough Shoal.

“Minsan parang may pattern. Nakakapagtaka din minsan na parang may konting iringan tsaka kaguluhan dito sa lupa pero sa dagat meron din,” said Ortega in a press briefing on Thursday, Dec. 5.

(Sometimes it’s as if there's a pattern. It's also puzzling at times that while there are some conflicts and disturbances on land, there are also issues at sea.)

China’s latest harassment in the WPS coincided with the filing of two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

While he avoided making a definitive assumption, Ortega suggested that the situation appeared to be “synchronized”. 

“Minsan, pag binasa mo po yung mga comments sa social media, yung mga articles, parang ganun po patungo eh,” he noted.

(Sometimes, when you read the comments on social media, the articles, it seems like they're headed toward that direction.)

The lawmaker specifically cautioned the public about certain personalities who he considered “pro-China advocates”, and their possible role in shaping narratives in the political discourse.

“Binu-bully din ng mga nananakop ‘yung ating mga coast guard tsaka ‘yung mga mangingisda doon… lalo kung may mga pro-China tayo na mga advocates, saka mouthpiece,” he explained.

(The invaders are bullying our coast guard and our fishermen there... especially if we have pro-China advocates and mouthpieces.)

Ortega, however, expressed hope that his concerns would be proven false. “Sana mali ako (Hopefully, I'm wrong),” he said.

The La Union solon emphasized that the proper course of action, for now, was to strengthen efforts to defend Philippine sovereignty.

“Patuloy po nating ginagawa pa rin ‘yung mga hakbang natin na nire-report natin, kino-condemn natin. Patuloy pa rin yung mga military exercises natin sa ating mga borders,” he added.

(We continue to take the necessary steps, reporting and condemning these actions. Our military exercises at our borders are also ongoing.)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said it was preparing to file another diplomatic protest against China’s latest aggression in the WPS.