Hontiveros: China's actions at WPS must be condemned repeatedly, relentlessly
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Friday, June 21 condemned the brutal assault of the China Coast Guard against Filipino troops at the West Philippine Sea.
Hontiveros said the recent actions of the CCG at Ayungin Shoal must be condemned—repeatedly and relentlessly.
“China’s actions at Ayungin Shoal must be condemned — repeatedly and relentlessly,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“As a Filipino and as a Senator, I share the hurt and pain of the Philippine Navy over our wounded personnel,” she added.
“China severely violated not only international law, but our human rights. This is unacceptable. Violence should not be committed on our seas,” the senator reiterated.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had described Monday’s attack by the CCG against the Filipino troops on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal as a “brazen act of aggression” as they wielded bolos, knives, spears, tear gas, high-pitched sirens and blinding strobe lights against Philippine Navy personnel.
Hontiveros said the government should push for the de-militarization of the West Philippine Sea
“We must push for the de-militarization of the West Philippine Sea. I call on government to put politics and diplomacy back at the captain’s wheel with Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), fisherfolk, and civilian actions,” she said.
“Let us optimize every legal, political, and diplomatic potential to preserve security and peace in the region,” she appealed.