Senators back Duterte order to occupy PH islands on South China Sea

Senators on Friday supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the military to occupy the Philippine islands in the disputed South China Sea, one saying there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional even if he goes and erects the Philippine flag there.

“There is nothing illegal immoral unconstitutional or wrong with planting, raising the Philippine flag on Philippine territory, and our elected President visiting any part of the Philippines. And if necessary, ‘…ang mamatay ng dahil sayo,’” Senator Gringo Honasan, chair of the Senate committee on national defense and security, said in a text message.

“It is not necessary to assert our ownership over something that is already ours. It is procedural,” Honasan added.

On Thursday, the President did not only order the military to occupy the islands and reefs being claimed by the Philippines but he also expressed his intention to visit Pagasa Island and raise the Philippine flag there on Independence Day, June 12.

Aside from the Philippines and China, other countries are also contesting ownership of the South China Sea are Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also threw his support behind the President’s move, confident that China would not object to it.

“I support it. I know he (Duterte) is planning to (do) that. China will be informed and I know they will not object,” Sotto said in a separate text message.

But for Senator Panfilo Lacson, the country’s interest should always take the front seat regardless of the good relations that the President has established with China.

“Asserting our sovereignty and territorial integrity can take many forms and courses of action. Whatever goodwill and good relations the President has established with China, at the end of the day, our national interest should always take the front seat,” Lacson said in another text message when sought for comment on the President’s order.

“All of us who have genuine love for our country must therefore support the president on the course of action that he has chosen to take,” the senator added. JE