HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun on Wednesday expressed outrage over the reported presence of a massive China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the waters off Zambales, calling it an alarming display of Chinese aggression and intrusion into Philippine territory and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“Ito na ang sukdulan ng agresyon. Walang karapatan ang China na pasukin ang ating teritoryo at EEZ,” Khonghun, who chairs the House Committee on Bases Conversion, said, reacting to reports of a 12,000-ton CCG ship spotted near his home province.
“Ang mga barkong ito ay simbolo ng pambu-bully na hindi natin dapat palampasin,” he added.
The lawmaker emphasized that this was not just a violation of international law but also a direct affront to Philippine sovereignty.
“Ang mga ganitong aksyon ay hindi lang banta sa ating teritoryo, kundi pati na rin sa seguridad at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan na nakadepende sa ating karagatan,” he said.
Khonghun, whose province faces the West Philippine Sea, stressed the importance of standing firm against these incursions.
“Hindi dapat tayo matakot. Kailangan nating ipakita sa mundo na kaya nating ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan sa ilalim ng UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” he said.
The Zambales representative called on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to increase their presence in the area.
Khonghun also urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file another diplomatic protest against China.
“Hindi tayo dapat tumigil sa pagsasabi ng ating mga hinaing. Kailangang paulit-ulit nating ipaalam sa international community ang ginagawa ng China,” he said.
In addition to local actions, Khonghun pushed for stronger ties with allies.
“We need to strengthen our alliances, particularly with countries that uphold freedom of navigation and international law. This is a fight we cannot win alone,” he said.
The lawmaker warned that allowing such intrusions to go unchecked could embolden China further.
“Kapag hindi tayo umalma dito, uulit-ulitin ito ng China. We should not normalize these illegal intrusions into our territory and EEZ,” he said.
Khonghun also highlighted the impact of Chinese aggression on Filipino fishermen in Zambales.
“Ang mga mangingisda natin ang unang naaapektuhan. Paano sila makakapaghanapbuhay kung may ganitong pagbabanta,” he said.
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