Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, September 12 rejected China’s plan to construct a so-called “marine nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and urged Malacañang to summon China’s ambassador to the Philippines to demand an explanation on it. 

Earlier, the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), protested China’s announcement on the matter, saying it is a violation of international law as Bajo de Masinloc is within Manila’s exclusive economic and maritime zone and vowed to file a diplomatic protest against such plan.

Hontiveros said such a move is a “desperate attempt to cement illegal occupation in Philippine territory.”

In the first place, the senator said it is also hypocritical for Beijing to build a “nature reserve” in the area, when in truth, “it has repeatedly destroyed marine ecosystems to build artificial islands and military installations.”

“Recently, I filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 85, urging the Executive to make China pay over ₱300 billion in reparations for the destruction of our natural resources. Sana aksyunan ito ng Palasyo, alang-alang man lang sa ating mga mangingisda (I hope the Palace takes action on this, for the sake of our fishermen),” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“For generations, Filipino fisherfolk have relied on the waters of Bajo de Masinloc for food and survival. Tapos ngayon, ni hindi na sila makalapit dahil sa presensya ng Tsina (Now, they can’t even come close to it because of China’s presence),” she lamented.

The lawmaker said it is imperative that the government ensures that the country’s fisherfolk retain access to their traditional fishing grounds, maintain a constant presence in the area and assertively patrol contested waters.

“We have to know the movements of each and every Chinese vessel in the area and actively assist Filipino fishing boats,” she said.

Hontiveros reminded China that Bajo de Masinloc is part of Philippine territory- “legally, historically, and morally.”

“The 2016 arbitral ruling under UNCLOS affirmed our rights within our Exclusive Economic Zone. No amount of dredging, building, or bullying can erase this fact,” she said.

“Our government must pull out all the stops. The President has repeatedly said that the Philippines will not cede one inch of our territory. Singilin natin sya sa pangakong yan. Patunayan niyang wala tayong isusukong teritoryo ng bansa (Let’s hold him up to that promise. He must prove that we will not give up any of the country’s territory),” the senator stressed.