Jinggoy slams China's 'gaslighting tactics' vs Philippine troops
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Friday, June 7 rejected attempts by China to blame Filipino troops of destroying and removing fishing nets installed by Chinese fishermen within the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippines Sea, calling it gaslighting.
This allegation is the latest of the China Coast Guard’s accusations against the personnel of BRP Sierra Madre.
“Gaslighting. That seems to be the latest tactic China appeared to have employed to divert public attention to the fact that they have, and it has been caught on video, harassed our troops as they tried to intercept the supply packages airdropped by a military aircraft for those stationed in the BRP Sierra Madre,” Estrada said.
“China must immediately cease its illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions. The world is watching, and history will judge those who violate the principles of peace, respect, and cooperation,” the senator said.
Estrada lamented China’s continuous and blatant disregard for Philippine sovereignty, repeated hostile actions and reprehensible acts “underscore a provocative pattern of behavior that must be called out and condemned by the global community.”
“We will not be intimidated. Hindi natin papayagan ang mga ganitong paratang para dungisan reputasyon ng ating mga magigiting na sundalo (We will not allow such accusations to taint the reputation of our valiant soldiers),” he said.
“Ang Ayungin Shoal ay bahagi ng ating teritoryo at tungkuling ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na protektahan ito mula sa mga ilegal na mga aktibidad (Ayungin Shoal is part of our territory and the AFP and PCG has the mandate to protect it from illegal activities),” the senator added.
It was China’s official news agency Xinhua which disclosed the allegation last Tuesday, saying military personnel onboard the BRP Sierra Madre “repeatedly damaged” fishing nets last May 15.
According to Xinhua, over 2,000 meters of fishing nets were damaged while more than 100 meters more were confiscated by Philippine authorities.
Beijing has also accused the trooops of pointing their guns at CCG personnel last May 19. The AFP has denied such allegations.
AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., however, in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, did not deny the fact that the soldiers on board the grounded vessel were armed, pointing out that the BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned Philippine Navy ship.