MANILA, Philippines – Iginiit ni Senador Risa Hontiveros nitong Lunes, Pebrero 13 na dapat parusahan ang China sa pagha-harass nito sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) habang ito ay nasa West Philippine Sea.
Ito ay matapos na magdulot ng pansamantalang pagkabulag ang ilang crew members ng BRP Malapascua ng PCG matapos itong tutukan ng “military grade” laser ng Chinese Coast Guard.
“The Chinese government, if it wants to show true leadership of the region, should act responsibly, and restrain any behavior by its coast guard, navy, and maritime militia that might further inflame the situation in the West Philippine Sea,” saad sa pahayag ni Hontiveros.
“Tensions are already high, but what is China doing instead? She is only getting more brazen by the day. Her shameless harassment, causing temporary blindness to Filipino crew members, should warrant a penalty. Iligal na nga ang presensya nila sa West Philippine Sea, nanakit pa sila ng kababayan natin,” dagdag niya.
Nagpahayag naman ng buong suporta ang senador sa Navy at Coast Guard
dahil “they implement proper countermeasures against the repeated unjust and violent operations of Chinese elements in the country’s maritime zones.”
“Atin ang Pilipinas at karapatan nating magdepensa sa ating teritoryo, mamamayan, at soberanya,” dagdag ni Hontiveros.
Kasunod nito ay muli niyang ipinanawagan sa Malacañang atDepartment of Foreign Affairs na makipagpulong sa ibang claimant countries ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations at member states ng Quadrilateral Security Dialogue upang masiguro ang kapayapaan sa pinag-aagawang teritoryo.
“We need to establish an updated security framework with our partners in the region as soon as possible. Magpapatuloy ang pambabastos ng Tsina kung hindi sila napipigilan,” ani Hontiveros. RNT/JGC
