Zambales 1st district Rep. Jefferson Khonghun (PPAB)

House Assistant Majority Leader Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun is up in arms over the reported presence of a giant China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the waters off his province.

Khonghun, a member of the House "Young Guns" bloc, called this move of the CCG an alarming display of aggression and intrusion into Philippine territory and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“Ang mga barkong ito ay simbolo ng pambu-bully na hindi natin dapat palampasin (These boats symbolize the bullying that we must not tolerate)," he said regarding reports of a 12,000-ton CCG ship spotted near his home province.

The House Committee on Bases Conversion chairman noted that this was not just a violation of international law but also a direct affront to Philippine sovereignty. 

“Ang mga ganitong aksyon ay hindi lang banta sa ating teritoryo, kundi pati na rin sa seguridad at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan na nakadepende sa ating karagatan,” he said.

(These actions aren't mere threats to our territory, but also to our fisherfolks' security and livelihood.)

Khonghun, whose province faces the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stressed the importance of standing firm against these incursions. 

“Hindi dapat tayo matakot. Kailangan nating ipakita sa mundo na kaya nating ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan sa ilalim ng UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” he said.

(We must not be afraid. We must show the world that we are capable of fighting for our rights under UNCLOS.)

The Zambales representative called on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to increase their presence in the area. 

Khonghun also urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file another diplomatic protest against China. 

“Hindi tayo dapat tumigil sa pagsasabi ng ating mga hinaing. Kailangang paulit-ulit nating ipaalam sa international community ang ginagawa ng China,” he said.

(We must not stop airing our grievances. We must repeatedly tell the international community what China is doing.)