Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 19) — Several poll aspirants and government officials on Thursday slammed the recent attacks of Chinese forces on Philippine boats near Ayungin Shoal, saying the incident highlights the need for the country to have a stronger stance on territorial rights.
“Hindi pwedeng maliitin ang mga Pilipino nang ganito. Ang panalo natin sa arbitral ruling ang sandalan natin para tuloy-tuloy natin ma-protektahan kung ano ang atin,” presidential hopeful Vice President Leni Robredo said in a statement.
[Translation: The Filipinos cannot be treated like this. Our arbitral victory should be the support for us to continue protecting what is ours.]
Robredo added she recently met with military officials to discuss national security issues as well as other topics like climate change, COVID-19 pandemic, cybersecurity, and disinformation.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao both vowed they will be firm in defending the country’s waters.
“We will be fearless in fighting for what is ours. We will insist on the Hague Ruling,” Moreno said. “But at the same time as being fearless, we are going to be fair with our discussion and management of the situation on both sides.”
“We should be firm to defend our territorial rights. ‘Wag naman tayong magpapa-bully (let’s now allow ourselves to be bullied,” Pacquiao stressed.
For Senator Ping Lacson, the filing of diplomatic protests amid China’s continued incursions in the West Philippine Sea is not enough.
“We are not satisfied. Ang aming polisiya dito, makikipag-alliance tayo sa malalakas na bansa, ‘yung militarily strong countries. Meron naman tayong existing bilateral agreements with them,” he said.
[Translation: We are not satisfied. Our policy here is, let’s create an alliance with the powerhouse countries, the militarily strong countries. We have existing bilateral agreements with them.]
Other senators, including Tito Sotto, Kiko Pangilinan, Richard Gordon, Francis Tolentino, and Koko Pimentel, also joined in protesting the incident.
Authorities earlier reported that three Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and fired water cannon on two Philippine boats transporting supplies to military personnel in Ayungin Shoal.
The Chinese government refuted this, claiming the Philippine boats “trespassed” into its waters “without consent.”
