The continued interference of the Chinese Coast Guard in Philippine waters is an ominous sign (“masamang pangitain”) that should be stopped immediately, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and his running mate Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Thursday.
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday expressed outrage over the report that three Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and water cannoned Philippine boats on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Officials of Bayan Muna on Friday said that fisherfolks were being harassed not only by Chinese coast guard and militia at the West Philippine Sea but also by military men when they came to shore.
Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas slammed the failure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to defend local fisherfolk and the Philippine territory from Chinese naval incursions despite having a P36 billion budget for the defense of Philippine sovereignty.
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday has directed the military to investigate reports that a Filipino vessel carrying a news team of local media network ABS-CBN was chased by two Chinese missile boats off the West Philippine Sea.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday denied the statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros that he’s lawyering for China and downplaying the new Chinese coast guard law.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has assured that China has not seized the Sandy Cay, a sand bar near Pag-asa Island, despite the reported presence of Chinese ships in the area.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said after President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered two concerned government agencies to add more patrols in the Benham Rise, the message is clear that no one is allowed to send research vessels without seeking clearance from Philippine government.
China appears to have acceded to President Rodrigo Duterte’s wish to allow Filipino fishermen to fish at Scarborough Shoal, with Malacañang noting the absence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the disputed portion of the South China Sea a week after he flew to Beijing.
Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said the governments of the Philippines and China have already reached an understanding for the reopening of the Scarborough Shoal or the Panatag Shoal to the Filipino fishermen.
