Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 21) — The Makabayan bloc is looking to file a House resolution seeking a probe into the BRP Sierra Madre removal issue, but an opposition senator sees no need for such a move.
According to House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Congress must launch an investigation to pinpoint the individuals responsible for allegedly sealing a deal with the Chinese government for the removal of the ship from Ayungin Shoal.Castro said it might be former President Rodrigo Duterte who “may have made the promise to China” as former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo already said they were not behind the alleged agreement.The late former President Benigno Aquino III, meanwhile, was the one who challenged China’s claims in the contested waters.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the other hand, said he was not aware of such an agreement, and stressed that the BRP Sierra Madre would remain at Ayungin Shoal.
READ: Marcos: Rescind deal with China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal if it exists
“It can be remembered that on May 6, 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte called the country’s arbitral victory against China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea a piece of paper that he can throw away in a trash bin. Duterte said the ruling affirming the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone is just a piece of paper that led to nothing,” Castro said in a statement.The lawmaker also questioned Duterte’s recent trip to China for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
READ: Duterte sees Marcos to discuss meeting with Xi Jinping
Castro likewise noted that Duterte and his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte are mum on the issue, as well as on other aggressive tactics launched by China against Philippines vessels.“Their silence on the issue speaks volumes and it seems that we may not have to look far to find the traitors the Philippine Coast Guard is talking about as it is Duterte [who] has the longest list of instances of sleeping with China,” she added.The communications team of Vice President Duterte has yet to respond when asked for comment.Meanwhile, in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source on Monday, Sen. Koko Pimentel said there is “no need to investigate” the issue.“I have been a senator for more than 10 years now. I have never heard this claim except until now, so this could be a bluff to keep us pre-occupied with something that is not that important,” he said.
