Senators call for ‘proactive response’ to China’s incursions in WPS

LATEST SIGHTING The China Coast Guard “Monster” ship on Saturday was last spotted some 157 kilometers (85 nautical miles) from Zambales province in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which took this photo before sunset from one of its vessels, the BRP Cabra. —PCG

The repeated incursions of Chinese Coast Guard vessels into Philippine waters, particularly within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), require a “comprehensive and proactive response” from the Philippine government, according to some senators.

“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. The Philippines will not yield to coercion or intimidation when faced with challenges to our sovereignty,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada in a statement.

“I’ve said it repeatedly, the legal basis to fight for our rights is on our side,” he said.

Estrada was referring to the Arbitral Award, a landmark ruling issued on June 12, 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which affirmed the Philippines’ claim to sovereign rights in the maritime areas of the West Philippine Sea.

PROTECTING ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA WORKERS’ RIGHTS: Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada presides over the Committee on Labor’s hearing on proposed measures providing protection and benefits to entertainment and media workers Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Estrada said the “Eddie Garcia bill” and the “Media Workers Welfare bill” not only seek to ensure the rights and welfare of workers in the movie, television, radio, entertainment, and media industries but also aim to provide guidelines to guarantee their health and safety at all times. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

Estrada also pointed out that the Senate has consistently recognized the seriousness of China’s actions against the Philippines.

He noted that on August 1, 2023, the Senate adopted a united and strong stance (Resolution No. 79) condemning the ongoing harassment of Filipino fishermen and the intrusions into the West Philippine Sea (WPS) by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels.

The Senate also urged the government to take appropriate measures to assert and secure the nation’s sovereign rights within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, Estrada added.

Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros also criticized China, calling its incursions a disturbance that undermines regional peace.

“China is not starting the year right. Instead of keeping the peace in the region, she has chosen to create more disturbance,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement.

She said Malacañang should seriously start filing cases against China before an 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,” she added.