MANILA, Philippines- Binusisi ng national security advisers ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos ang agresibong aksyon ng Chinese vessels sa Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas.
Sinabi ng National Security Council (NSC), nakipag-usap si National Security Adviser Eduardo Año sa kanyang United States counterpart na si Jake Sullivan sa telepono, araw ng Lunes at “discussed the recent spate of illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia in the country’s EEZ.”
“Secretary Año expressed his appreciation for the United States’ continued assurances and reaffirmation of its ironclad commitment to the PH-US Alliance,” dagdag na wika nito.
Kapwa naman umaasa sina Año at Sullivan sa napipintong inaugural Japan-Philippines-United States trilateral leaders’ summit sa Washington DC sa susunod na linggo.
Sa pinakabagong water cannon attack ng China Coast Guard vessels, tatlong Philippine Navy sailors ang nasugatan habang isinasagawa ang resupply mission sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal noong Marso 23.
Kasunod ng insidente, sinabi ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. na ikakasa nito ang “proportionate, deliberate, at reasonable” na pagtugon.
“Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia,” pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos sa isang kalatas.
“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. Filipinos do not yield,” dagdag niya.
Sinabi pa ng Pangulo na palagi siyang may “constant communication” sa “allies, partners, at friends” sa international community.
“They have offered to help us with what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed,” wika pa niya. Kris Jose
