Senator Risa Hontiveros (Senate PRIB)

Senator Risa Hontiveros says China’s new policy of detaining “trespassers” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is an incriminating affirmation of its emerging reputation as a “rogue nation”.

China recently authorized its coast guard to detain foreign nationals perceived to be trespassing in its claimed waters for up to 60 days without trial.

China’s claim on the broader South China Sea (SCS) overlaps with the waters under the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone—more popularly known as the WPS.

This unjust pronouncement from the Asian giant coincided with the civilian mission of advocacy group Atin Ito Coalition, where they sailed to Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) for a supply mission for Filipino fishermen present in the area.

Hontiveros said this “rightful and peaceful show of solidarity” clearly hit a nerve with China.

“But instead of responding like a dignified country, she resorts to this tyrannical tactic that will only escalate tensions even further,” the senator added.

She stressed that China must revoke this “shameless” detention policy, given that it may only incite violence.

“Should Beijing dare push through with this illegitimate regulation, the Philippines’ hand may be forced to sue them again in the Hague Tribunal,” she underscored.

In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruling favored the Philippines’ right to its sovereignty over China’s claim that it owns the majority of the SCS based on its nine-dash line map. 

In the meantime, Hontiveros said the Philippine government must urge allies such as the United States (US), Japan, Australia, France, and other like-minded nations to oppose a flagrant violation of international law by joining the country’s patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“China better leave the West Philippine Sea alone,” she stressed.