PAG-ASA ISLAND, Palawan--Senators who flew to Pag-asa island on Thursday, May 16, personally encountered China's bullying when it comes to asserting its claim over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and were met with verbal challenges on the radio to leave their supposed territory.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri was quick to issue a strong reply to the 20 or so Chinese militia vessels who were encroaching the area near the island, and were outnumbering a Navy ship and a single Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel. 

“If they think that a radio challenge can scare us away from our own waters, then they don’t know what they’re dealing with. Alam natin, at alam ng buong mundo, na ang China ang nanghihimasok sa atin dito. At handa tayong ipaglaban kung ano ang atin (We know, the whole world knows, that China is the one encroaching here. And we're ready to fight for what's ours),” he said.

“At gusto ko lang sabihin kung nakikinig po sila (China vessels), ito po ay teritoryo ng Republika ng Pilipinas. Hindi po inyo ito. Ito po ang teritoryo ng Republika ng Pilipinas. Bago pa dumating si Magellan, atin na po ito. Kaya kung pwede, lumayas na kayo (And I just want to say if they are listening, this is the Republic of the Philippines' territory. This is not yours. This is the territory of the Republic of the Philippines. Even before Magellan arrived, this was ours. If possible, please leave),” he added.

Members of the media who were on the island were quick to spot the Chinese vessels.These were visible from the naval station on Pag-asa island and can be clearly seen through a scope that's been installed on the beach.

At the same naval station, Zubiri led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Philippine Navy barracks. 

"Yung pag-landing nga namin kanina, meron na mga verbal challenges. And it's so sad na nandito tayo sa loob ng ating bansa, teritoryo ng Pilipinas ito. Tapos sinasabihan ka, umalis ka dito kasi ito'y teritoryo ng China. Talagang nakakagulat, no. Nakaka-alarma at nakakagalit (When we landed earlier, there were verbal challenges. It's so sad that we're inside our country, this is Philippine territory. Then you will be told to leave, to leave because this is China's territory. It's really surprising. Alarming and infuriating)," he said. 

According to Naval Forces West Commander Commodore Alan Javier, there are 22 Chinese militia vessels, two China Coast Guard vessels, and one People's Liberation Army vessel that are near the island.

He added this was the "normal" sight for Philippine forces in the area. 

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who was also on the island, said that it would take at least an hour for the Chinese vessels to reach Pag-asa island or less with a different type of boat.

Construction of barracks, Super Rural Health Unit

Zubiri is optimistic with the planned construction of a Philippine Navy barracks and a Super Rural Health Unit in Pag-asa Island in the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan will boost the presence of the Philippines in the WPS and aid in preventing the illegal incursions of China into Philippine territory.

The Senate President, who has been notably outspoken with his condemnation of China’s repeated and aggressive incursions into the WPS, earlier pushed for the inclusion in the 2024 national budget of P30 million for the Super Rural Health Unit and P20 million for the Navy barracks.

“We're giving them this P20-million dormitory-type barracks para sa ating mga sundalo. Mag-groundbreaking din po tayo ng P30 million for a super RHU, super rural health unit, para meron po mga health facilities na maganda (We will also conduct a groundbreaking for a P30 million-RHU, a super rural health unit, so we have better health facilities),” Zubiri told reporters. 

Also there to accompany him were Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito.

“Kasi nakita nyo naman, nakatira sa nipa hut ang ating mga sundalo dito, mga hindi magaganda mga infrastructure, hindi pa kumpleto (As you may have seen, our soldiers live in nipa hut, the infrastructures are not good. They're doing their best with whatever resources they have. Kaya nag-step up po ang Senado (Which is why the Senate stepped up),” the Senate chief added.

Zubiri said he fought for the inclusion of the infrastructure projects in Pag-asa islands in 2023 when Congress was deliberating the 2024 national budget.

“We fought hard for these projects, kaya masayang-masaya po ako na makabisita sa Pag-asa at finally ma-kickstart na ang mga proyektong ito (that's why I'm happy to visit Pag-asa to finally kickstart this project),” the senator from Bukidnon said.

“Ang groundbreaking ng ating mga proyekto, galing po sa initiative ng Senado, last 2023 for 2024. Ang Senado ay nagbigay po halos P10.5 billion sa Armed Forces of the Philippines, sa Department of National Defense and Coast Guard (The groundbreaking of these projects is from the Senate's initiative, last 2023 for 2024. The Senate gave almost P10.5 billion for the AFP, the DND, and the Coast Guard),” the Senate chief said.

The Senate leader said that part of defending Kalayaan is investing in its development.

“Meron po tayong around 250 residents dito sa Pag-asa (We have around 250 residents here in Pag-asa). We have families living here, raising their children here, and making a living in these waters,” he said. 

“Dapat talagang tulungan natin silang umasenso, dahil sila ang proof na atin itong West Philippine Sea (We have to help them progress, because they are proof that West Philippine Sea is ours),” he added.

As part of his visit, the Senate chief had an opportunity to meet with the local community over a boodle fight.

Continued support for Pag-asa island

In addition to the Super Rural Health Unit and the Navy barracks, Zubiri promised to continue lobbying for development projects for residents and defense personnel alike, particularly toward the improvement of local power supply, water security and housing.

He also gave his word that he will continue to support the budgetary needs of the Department of National Defense and that he will help the Bureau of Aquatic Fisheries and Resources secure funding for a mothership, to accompany smaller fishing boats and provide security against Chinese vessels.

The residents of Kalayaan can also look forward to the Senate leader’s promise of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations or AICS, coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Patuloy nating susuportahan ang mga proyekto at programang ikauunlad ng Pag-asa. This is how we defend the West Philippine Sea – by taking care of our people and helping them build a stronger and larger community here.”

The Senate President was also joined by Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci; Coast Guard Admiral Ronnie Gavan; newly appointed Western Command Chief, Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres; Commodore Alan Javier, and Kalayaan Mayor Roberto del Mundo.