Senators on Monday, January 13 slammed the redeployment of the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) biggest vessel called the “Monster Ship” in the West Philippine Sea off the coast in Zambales.
Deputy Minority Leader Senator Risa Hontiveros criticized how China is disturbing the peace this early in 2025.
“China is not starting the year right. Instead of keeping the peace in the region, she has chosen to create more disturbance,” Hontiveros lamented.
The opposition senator said Malacañang should seriously start filing cases against China before the international court.
“As I insisted before, Malacañang should start filing new cases before an international court. Beijing’s ships will only keep coming back if we do not take appropriate measures,” she stressed.
“In the meantime, we must work on strengthening alliances with like-minded nations whose Coast Guards can patrol with ours. Together, let us show China that no monster ship can scare us,” the lawmaker reiterated.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada also slammed China’s move and urged the government to proactively address the issue.
“The repeated incursions of Chinese Coast Guard vessels into Philippine waters, particularly within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), require a comprehensive and proactive response from our government,” Estrada said.
Estrada also echoed the need to bring up the case before the international court.
“Makailang ulit ko ng sinabi, nasa panig natin ang mga legal na batayan para ipaglaban ang ating karapatan (I’ve always said before, we have the legal basis to fight for our rights),” he said.
“The Arbitral Award, a landmark ruling issued on June 12, 2016, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), affirmed our claim to sovereign rights in the maritime areas of the West Philippine Sea,” added the lawmaker.
Likewise, Estrada said the Senate has consistently recognized the seriousness of China's actions against the Philippines.
On Aug. 1, 2023, the Senate adopted a united and strong stance condemning the ongoing harassment of Filipino fishermen and the intrusions into the West Philippine Sea (WPS) by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels through Resolution No. 79.
“The Senate also urged the government to take appropriate measures to assert and secure our sovereign rights within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf,” Estrada said.
“I think it's crucial to take action now. We need a proactive, united, and sustained approach to protect our rights and ensure the safety and security of our people,” he further said.
“The Philippines will not yield to coercion or intimidation when faced with challenges to our sovereignty,” the head of the Senate national defense and security chief added.