Risa on Chinese vessels swarming near Julian Felipe Reef: Appalling, but again, not surprising

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said the swarming of Chinese militia vessels near Julian Felipe Reef is appalling, but again, not surprising.

“We have seen this before. In 2021, over 200 ships were moored near Julian Felipe Reef, urging our government to then file a diplomatic protest. In 2022, they returned again. Ngayon, umulit nanaman.

Araw-araw, may plano ang Tsina na saklawin ang mga teritoryo natin. Maliwanag na sila talaga ang nag-uumpisa ng gulo, hindi tayo,” said the senator.

She added that no matter how many times our government and the international community condemn China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, Beijing simply does not listen.

“By now, we should be doing more than fire off a diplomatic protest. We have to execute actionable on-the-ground steps to prevent the Chinese from any reclamation and base-building activities in Julian Felipe. Tiwala ako na gagawin na ito ng National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea,” she added.

The Philippine Coast Guard must also be applauded for upholding their duty to patrol our seas despite China’s overwhelming presence. Dapat maparami narin natin ang hanay nila para tuluyan nang maitaboy ang Tsina, the senator concluded.