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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gonzales tells Pinoys: Shun 'false narrative' on West Philippine Sea issue 

Gonzales tells Pinoys: Shun 'false narrative' on West Philippine Sea issue 

Published Apr 14, 2024 06:08 am

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Majority Leader Mandaluyong lone district Rep. Neptali "Boyet" Gonzales II told the Filipino people not to "fall prey to this false narrative" that the Philippine government was at fault for the heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea. 

20240414_140243.jpgMandaluyong City lone district Rep. Neptali Gonzales II (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN/ Malacañang photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chairman of the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) made an important request to his fellow Filipinos in a statement Sunday, April 14 on the issue of former president Rodrigo Duterte's alleged secret pact with the Chinese government. 

House Deputy Majority Leader Mandaluyong lone district Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II told the Filipino people not to “fall prey to this false narrative” that the Philippine government was at fault for the heightened tensions in the WPS. 

“Since when do we blame a bullied person for being bullied? Also, if they claim that revealing this alleged secret agreement to the public is for the sake of transparency, then why do they cry foul when we expose their activities in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone)?” Gonzales asked.  

“No, we should already put an end to this. Instead, we should just diligently continue our duty to protect the interests of our country,” he added. 

Earlier, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that Duterte had a "gentleman's agreement" with China during his tenure in Malacañang. 

The agreement allegedly had something to do with the halting of resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre grounded in Ayungin Shoal. The vessel carries Filipino troops and serves as the Philippines' outpost in the WPS. 

China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels have intruded in the WPS to stop these resupply missions that are carried out by much smaller boats. The CCG usually blocks these boats and fire water cannons at them. 

President Marcos, Duterte's direct successor to the Palace, has criticized this supposed gentleman's agreement. 

READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/14/duterte-china-agreement-on-west-philippine-sea-constitutionally-void-says-house-leader

 

“Like the President (Marcos), I am truly horrified by the idea that our country’s territory, sovereignty and sovereign rights may have been compromised by a deal guised as an “agreement” to maintain the peace and status quo in the WPS,” Gonzales said. 

At any rate, Gonzales believes that Marcos will be true to his oath to the Filipino people of faithfully preserving and defending the nation and the Constitution.  

“And as the President said over and over again, he will do all in his power so that our proud nation will not lose an inch of its territory. This is evident through the President’s issuance of EO (Executive Order) No. 57 creating the National Maritime Council to strengthen the Philippines' maritime security and increase maritime domain awareness among Filipinos amid China's aggressive tactics and threats in the WPS,” the solon explained. 

“I believe that, in the end, upholding our territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with our Constitution and with international law is what matters the most. Defending the dignity of the Filipino nation is more important than pondering about an agreement that may or may not have happened,” he said.

Related Tags

neptali boyet Gonzales II Rodrigo Duterte West Philippine Sea
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