Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) — Senator Risa Hontiveros slammed China on Friday for accusing the Philippines of causing trouble by holding joint patrols with the United States in the West Philippine Sea.
“Who’s stirring up trouble? Who’s harassing our vessels and preventing them from re-supplying our people on the BRP Sierra Madre. It’s not us, so to now accuse us of what they’re doing that’s like double gaslighting right there,” she told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command conducted tactical exercises in waters off Batanes and in the West Philippine Sea from Nov. 21 to 23. The maritime and aerial activities aim to enhance interoperability, foster cooperation between the long-time allies, and demonstrate “commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
China was unhappy with this, even accusing the Philippines of enlisting foreign forces to patrol the South China Sea and stirring up trouble in the region.
The Ministry of National Defense on Thursday said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command Navy ship Yuncheng conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea since Nov. 21. During this period, Beijing said “the Philippines enlisted foreign forces to patrol the South China Sea, stir up trouble, and hype up regional peace and stability, violating the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.\”
Hontiveros emphasized that it is China which is causing trouble with its aggressive actions against Philippine vessels. In a recent incident, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon on Philippine supply boat M/L Kalayaan on Nov. 10 to force it to alter its course. The boat was part of a mission to deliver supplies to Filipino troops on a rusty navy ship grounded at Ayungin Shaol.
“Sino ba naman ang nagle-laser point ng sa ating mga tropa? Sino ba naman nagha-harras ng ating mangingisda (who points laser to our troops? Who are harassing our fishermen)? Who are dredging our Philippine seabed to create artificial islands within our exclusive economic zone, militarize them, and use them to claim that our territory is theirs?” she asked.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa also told reporters that China was the ones starting the trouble while Philippine vessels only make sure supplies are able to reach Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.
Hontiveros welcomed the joint patrols conducted with the US, adding more of these should be done with other allies.
