THIS was the reaction today (Sept. 27) of House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin T. Tulfo on the statement of China published in several newspapers today, urging the Philippines not to “stir up trouble” in Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales after the Philippine Coast Guard removed the “floating barrier” placed by China to block Filipino fishermen from fishing in the area.
“Wala silang karapatan na pagsabihan tayong umayos sa sarili nating teritoryo. Kahit ano pa ang itawag nila sa Bajo de Masinloc sa Zambales sa Pilipinas pa rin ito. ‘Yan ang malinaw dito,” Tulfo emphasized in a statement.
Tulfo also supported the Coast Guard’s removal of the floating barrier to assert our rights in the area.
Meanwhile, the political party leaders in Congress also commended the actions taken by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in removing these barriers.
This developed as the House also transferred the Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) of civilian agencies to the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Security Agency, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency to closely monitor the West Philippine Sea.
This developed, the lawmaker also insisted that now is the time to bring the issue to the United Nations (UN) and our friends in major countries to help patrol the area.
“Sino ba itong China na pagsabihan tayo na parang sobra naman ang baba ng tingin sa atin? Wag tayong pumayag na parang tayo pa ang pinagaasabihan at sunud sunuran sa mga ito,” Tulfo averred.
Tulfo also mentioned that it’s timely to seek the assistance of friendly countries like the United States, Japan, and others to help us in patrolling in the West Philippine Sea.
“Hindi naman siguro tayo bobombahin ng China kung sakaling lalapit tayo sa ating mga kaibigang bansa dahil tiyak na magkakaroon tayo ng international conflict, kaya dapat lamang na lumapit na tayo sa kanila at humingi ng tulong dahil sobra na ang ginagawa sa atin ng China,” Tulfo added.
It can be recalled that the 300-meter-long floating barrier was found across the entrance of the shoal last week while Philippine authorities were conducting a routine resupply mission in the area.
The Philippine Coast Guard released a video showing a man wearing snorkeling gear using a knife to sever a rope attached to white buoys, while another showed an anchor being hauled from the water into a wooden outrigger boat.
The Coast Guard announced that it had “successfully” removed the barrier “in compliance with presidential instruction.”
