Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) – The Senate is set to adopt on Tuesday a combined resolution that condemns China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and offers options that the government can use to assert Philippine sovereignty over its territorial waters.
“A resolution will be adopted tomorrow combining my resolution with the Senate President’s [Miguel Zubiri]. Malinaw sa reso ang pagkokondena sa China [the resolution is clear on condemning China] and the many tools that the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) may wield to assert our claims, pati ang paghain sa UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) ng resolution [even the filing of a UNGA resolution],” Hontiveros said Monday, after the Senate’s closed-door caucus to discuss possible ways to enforce the country’s rights over the contested waters.
Hontiveros’ Proposed Senate Resolution (PSR) 659 urged the DFA to raise China’s harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and coast guard to the UNGA.
Zubiri’s PSR 707, meanwhile, recommended the end of bilateral talks with Beijing and likewise condemned the global superpower.
READ:
Hontiveros wants DFA to seek UNGA resolution to stop China’s harassment in WPS
Zubiri to recommend end of bilateral talks with China, condemnation of WPS incursions
“Malinaw na nagtagumpay ang gusto ng taumbayan, at hindi ang gusto ng China,” Hontiveros added.
[Translation: It’s a clear triumph of the will of our people, and not what China wants.]
Zubiri said DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, National Security Adviser and Chairman of the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea Eduardo Año, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr., and senior military officials attended the senators’ caucus.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier commented on Hontiveros’ measure, saying that foreign policy was not set by the legislature but by the executive. He stayed mum on China’s incursions in the WPS in his recent state of the nation address.
