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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senators slam China's series of aggression vs Philippines: 'Intimidation can't alter truth!'

Senators slam China's series of aggression vs Philippines: 'Intimidation can't alter truth!'

Published Jul 20, 2026 06:58 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said the government should bring China's physical aggression in the West Philippine Sea before the international community's attention.
  • The senator also said that it appears the China Coast Guard is doubling down on such harassment and intimidation—ranging from the desperate dissemination of AI-generated propaganda to physical violence—especially following the Philippines' commemoration of the Arbitral Ruling anniversary last week.
Senators condemned on Monday, July 20 China's continued acts of violence and intimidation in within the country's maritime domain, particularly the latest physical aggression displayed by the China Coast Guard against a Philippine Navy personnel.
(AFP)
(AFP)
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito urged the Philippine government to bring to the attention of the international community China’s continued harassment and intimidation in the West Philippine Sea.

Ejercito made the call after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accused the China Coast Guard of clubbing a Philippine Navy personnel on a rubber boat with wooden batons as it was approaching Ayungin Shoal.

Incidentally, news of the incident came just hours after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the two countries’ top diplomats are set to meet at a regional summit in Manila this week.

The senator said he strongly condemns this latest act of physical aggression by China knowing that “our soldiers were within our own waters, dutifully performing their mission, when China Coast Guard personnel brazenly struck them with a wooden pole.”

“It appears the China Coast Guard is doubling down on such harassment and intimidation—ranging from the desperate dissemination of AI-generated propaganda to physical violence—especially following our commemoration of the Arbitral Ruling anniversary last week,” Ejercito said in a statement in Filipino.

Ejercito is referring to the landmark arbitral ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July 12, 2016, which invalidated China's expansive “nine-dash line” claims over the West Philippine Sea.

“Yet, the reality is clear: they resort to force because they lack a legal leg to stand on,” he stressed.

“I call upon the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately bring this incident to the attention of the international community and to utilize all diplomatic and legal avenues to hold China accountable for its continued violations of international law,” the senator said.

Ejercito also said he fully supports the Department of National Defense (DND) in ensuring that the Philippine Navy—particularly the injured personnel—receives adequate assistance.

“Intimidation cannot alter the truth: the West Philippine Sea is ours!” the lawmaker stressed.

Sen. Paolo "Bam" Aquino IV, in a statement, also condemned China and the "successive acts of violence and insults" it directs against the Philippines.
"We strongly condemn the successive acts of violence and insults directed at the Philippines," Aquino said.
"In light of these events, we must all the more support our Navy, Coast Guard, and fisherfolk to ensure that our sovereignty is protected against any foreign encroachment," he said.

Related Tags

China Coast Guard West Philippine Sea JV Ejercito DFA Philippine Navy Bam Aquino
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