PCG agents at Escoda Shoal. Courtesy: PCG
1-RIDER Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez on Tuesday commended the Philippine Coast Guard for its quick reaction in blocking the illegal reclamation of China of some parts of Escoda Shoal.
“We’d like to commend the PCG at naagapan po ito. Nakita po nila, and now that aware po ‘yong government natin, we’re confident that the executive will take the proper measures to make sure na hindi mangyayari ulit ‘yong nangyari sa ating mga ibang shoals,” Gutierrez said during the daily press briefing at the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker took potshots at the notion that many fake products in the market today are China-made, and it also applies to islands that are the subject of their illegal reclamation.
“Kasi ‘yon seems to be the technique ng China – ang galing nilang gumawa ng peke, kahit pekeng island kaya po nila,” Gutierrez said.
Escoda Shoal, he said, is clearly within the territory of the Philippines, and he blasted China for trying to encroach in the said area illegally.
“Kailangan natin maagapan talaga, nasa teritoryo po natin ito eh. At alam naman nating mga Pilipino, ayaw natin ng peke, hindi po tayo papayag diyan. So again we commend and we support fully the PCG,”Gutierrez said.
“I have no doubts – I don’t have the authority – but I’m sure I speak for everyone here, we are in full support to our PCG, AFP, Navy, kung ano man ‘yan,” he added.
He also criticized China for its reported mobilization of its fleet to blockade Panatag Shoal against the Peace and Solidarity Regatta of the Atin Ito Coalition.
“It seems to be the counterinitiative ng China, blockading a shoal for, I think regatta. I’d assume this is a civilian operation. Fun boating lang naman po ito, within our waters. By what authority po would they be (doing this blockade?” Gutierrez asked. “Ito po ‘yong problema po natin sa China. They insist on having peaceful negotiations, they force us into bilateral agreements, pero resupply mission ayaw po nila. Food and water sa ating mga sundalo, ayaw po nila. ‘Pag simple traversing of our waters, ayaw po nila, which are again our waters in international standards, because of the arbitration ruling,” he further explained. “Tayo po ‘yung tama dito ngunit ayaw po nila. At ngayon hindi po sila papayag for a simple civilian fun boating experience? I think we follow of course of the executive, the President, as chief architect of our foreign policy, but we fully support the direction that we’re going, that we’re taking a better, tougher stand po siguro on our territory.”
