MANILA, Philippines – Matinding kinondena ni Senador Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan ang lantarang pambubully ng China kay Defense Secretary Gilberto ”Gibo” Teodoro sa kabila nang paggamit ng kalihim ng legal pamamaraan upang ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas laban sa illegal na panghihimasok ng Beijing sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Makikita na lantaran ang panghihimasok ng Beijing sa karagatan na teritoryo ng Pilipinas kahit nakapagdesisyon ang Intenational Arbitral Tibunal na pag-ari ng mga Filipino ang buong WPS.
Ayon kay Pangilinan, nang ipatupad ang panggigipit kay Teoforo, isang malaking dagok tio sa desisyong pang-soberenya ng Republic of the Philippines.
“As a Cabinet official and the President’s alter ego on defense and security, Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro articulates and implements national policy,” ayon kay Pangilinan.
Aniya, kapag pinarusahan siya at pamilya nito, hindi lamang direktang panggigipit ito sa kanya kundi maging sa Pangulo ng bansa, Philippine State at ating constitutional order.
“This marks a clear escalation in China’s pattern of coercion and intimidation against a smaller neighbor that, despite repeated provocations, has consistently responded with diplomacy, restraint, and adherence to the rule of law,” ayon kay Pangilinan.
Sinabi ni Pangilinan na pinili ng Pilipinas na gumamit ng remedying legal kabilang ang 2016 arbitral award, bukas at rule-bases engagement sa halip na pagwawasak.
“By sanctioning a sitting Cabinet member for
defending an arbitral ruling and asserting rights guaranteed under international law, China diminishes its own standing in the community of nations. Such actions undermine its claim to be a responsible major power and
only strengthen the resolve of democracies — big and small — to stand together against coercion,” giit ng senador.
“To a lesser degree, I experienced similar treatment. In April 2023, China blacklisted the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), a regional network of liberal and democratic political parties that includes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan. Beijing also barred its officials from entering Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. At the time, I was not a sitting senator and serving as CALD chairperson,” kwento ng senador.
Bilang bata, sinabi ni Pangilinan na kanyang natutunan na ginigipit ng bully ang sinumang tao na alam nyang mahina.
“I also learned that kowtowing to a bully does not stop the bullying. In solidarity with Secretary Gibo, I call on the Department of Foreign Affairs to formally protest China’s sanctions against him and his family.”
“As we approach the tenth anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award on July 12, we reaffirm our rights in our own waters and the right of Filipino citizens — officials and regular folk — to defend and articulate those rights without fear of foreign intimidation,” ayon sa senador. Ernie Reyes
