Push Admin

Lacson, Hontiveros say PH needs help of allies, int'l community vs Chinese incursions

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/04/05/20210405-chinese-vessels-whitsun-reef-rtr.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Photo shows Chinese marine vessels anchored at Julian Felipe Reef in this photo taken last March 27.<em> Photo courtesy of the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Two senators on Tuesday said the Philippines needs the help of its allies and the international community to send a stronger statement against the lingering presence of China&#x27;s maritime militia vessels in Philippine waters. </p><p>In a statement, Sen. Panfilo Lacson pointed out that filing diplomatic protests might &quot;not be too helpful anymore&quot; because China continues to ignore them. </p><p>This circumstance earlier led Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to consider a &quot;<a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com">demarche</a>&quot; or a political step, especially after China said the that Julian Felipe Reef, which falls under the country&#x27;s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea is part of its territory. </p><p>The West Philippine Sea is the country&#x27;s EEZ within the South China Sea, 90 percent of which China claims as its own, asserting historical rights despite a July 2016 UN tribunal ruling invalidating its expansive claim. </p><p>At least 40 Chinese vessels remained in the reef as of Saturday, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. </p><p>&quot;While it is a standard document used to call the attention of the other party, China&#x27;s consistent attitude of taking for granted such action taken by the [Department of Foreign Affairs] reduces it to a mere point of information,&quot; said Lacson. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/05/21/dfa-calls-out-chinese-embassy-in-manila-over-statement-on-lorenzana-julian-felipe-reef&amp;title=DFA calls out Chinese embassy in Manila over statement on Lorenzana, Julian Felipe Reef&amp;vid=1653503" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//tfc.tv/">iWantTFC</a></div><p>The senator noted that it would be difficult for China to ignore the calls if the country&#x27;s allies stood together on the matter to maintain peace and stability in the region. </p><p>&quot;Perhaps China would not be so dismissive if we and our allies, both in the Asia-Pacific and the west, show we can band together to maintain a balance of power in the region, including the West Philippine Sea. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/24/21/think-tank-urges-china-to-withdraw-militia-fleet-from-ph-waters-warns-of-global-security-risks">Think tank urges China to withdraw militia fleet from PH waters, warns of global security risks</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/03/21/unsettling-to-see-hundreds-of-chinese-vessels-swarm-gaven-reef-chigua-reef">&#x27;Unsettling to see&#x27;: Hundreds of Chinese vessels swarm Gaven Reef, Chigua Reef</a></li></ul><p>Sen. Risa Hontiveros echoed Lacson and urged the DFA to &quot;take immediate action and champion diplomatic initiatives&quot; with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). </p><p>The &quot;greed for territory and power&quot; of Asia&#x27;s largest economy had led to &quot;unilateral and aggressive&quot; military expansion in the South China Sea, she said, which violates international law. </p><p>“The ASEAN should stand together against China’s bullying. We should put our differences aside and work towards the common goal of opposing unfounded and over-ambitious Chinese territorial claims in the region,&quot; Hontiveros said.</p><p>&quot;If ASEAN does not adopt a common stand on the South China Sea, we cannot safeguard our shared interests.&quot; </p><p>The opposition senator also said the country should strengthen its relationship with ASEAN member states, noting that the coalition is &quot;the best way of assuring our territorial integrity&quot; and peace. </p><div><strong> RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1654534" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Sen. Richard Gordon on Saturday also expressed his frustration, recalling how Chinese vessels have supposedly harassed and threatened the country&#x27;s coast guard and fishermen in the disputed waters.</p><p>It is time, Gordon said, for some action to be done which includes seeking help from &quot;stronger allies before it is too late.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/03/21/lorenza-tells-chinese-ships-to-leave-west-philippine-sea">&#x27;Umalis na kayo diyan,&#x27; PH defense chief tells China on ships in West PH Sea</a></li></ul><p>The United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have also criticized China&#x27;s continuing incursions in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo earlier said that China&#x27;s charity on COVID-19 vaccines does not mean the Philippines is ignoring the issue on the reef. He said the government would be &quot;fiercely protective&quot; of the country&#x27;s territory. </p><p>The Philippine has so far received 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from China&#x27;s Sinovac, a million of which were donated. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/24/21/china-donating-covid-19-vaccines-to-soften-blow-of-seizing-ph-territories-carpio">China donating COVID-19 vaccines to &#x27;soften blow&#x27; of seizing PH territories: Carpio</a></li></ul><p>China&#x27;s sweeping claims in the South China Sea had been declared as having no legal basis by an international arbitration court in 2016.</p>

<p>MANILA - Two senators on Tuesday said the help of the country's allies, as well as the international community, would be needed to send a stronger statement against the lingering presence of China's maritime militia vessels in Philippine waters. <br /> </p>

MANILA - Two senators on Tuesday said the help of the country's allies, as well as the international community, would be needed to send a stronger statement against the lingering presence of China's maritime militia vessels in Philippine waters.