Some of the about 220 Chinese vessels reported by the Philippine Coast Guard, and believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, are pictured at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea, March 7, 2021. Picture taken March 7, 2021. Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/Handout via REUTERS.
MANILA, Philippines — China’s donation of COVID-19 vaccines “has nothing to do” with the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), two senators said Thursday, with one stressing that Beijing is the one indebted to Manila for “damaging” resources in the contested waters.
“Wala tayong utang na loob sa Tsina. Hindi kapalit ng mga donasyong bakuna ang ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea,” Senator Risa Hontiveros said in a statement.
(We are indebted to China. China’s donation of vaccines should not be exchanged for our rights in the West Philippine Sea.)
“Kung tutuusin, Tsina nga ang may utang sa Pilipinas dahil sa bilyon-bilyong halaga ng likas-yaman na sinira niya. Halos P800 billion na ang nawala sa Pilipinas dahil sa walang pakundangang aktibidad ng Tsina sa ating sariling karagatan,” she said.
(In fact, it is China that owes us billions for damaging our natural resources. The Philippines lost almost P800 billion over China’s irreverent activities in our own waters.)
Chinese vessels remained on Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea, ignoring Philippine government protests. PCG Photo
“Ganyan ba ang isang ‘good friend’ [is that what a good friend is]? China’s incursions are not even acts of a good neighbor. With ‘good friends’ like that, who needs enemies?” she further added.
President Rodrigo Duterte, during his public address aired Wednesday night, said the Philippines cannot go to war with China, which he described as a “good friend.”
“We owed it a big debt of gratitude, among others for the vaccines [it has donated to us],” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino.
This, as the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to file diplomatic protests over the presence of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros (PRIB)
“Paalahanan din natin si Presidente na walang may gusto ng digmaan. Mainam na hindi niya pinapaalis ang ating mga barko sa sarili nating karagatan, ngunit dapat ialis niya na sa kanyang isipan na porke’t naninindigan tayo ay magkakaroon na ng giyera,” Hontiveros went on.
(We should also remind the President that no one wants war. It’s good that he did not order our patrol ships to leave our own waters, but he should get it out of his head that because we are asserting our rights that there will be war.)
“Bilang pinuno ng ating bansa, dapat lang na siya ang unang dumedepensa sa Pilipinas laban sa anumang pang-aabuso, lalo na mula sa mga banyaga. Tama na ang pagluhod sa Tsina. Tumayo ka na para sa mga Pilipino,” she added.
(As the leader of this country, he should be the one defending the Philippines from any abuse, especially from foreigners. He should stop kneeling down to China. Stand up for Filipinos.)
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto likewise said that no one is seeking a war with China.
Still, he underscored the need to protect the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and Filipino fishermen in the area.
“I am grateful to the Chinese for their assistance to our vaccination program. But that has nothing to do with our interest in the west Philippine Sea,” he added.
Malacañang has defended the President’s remarks, saying his admission that he owed a great debt to China does not mean that he is giving up the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippines Sea.
Stand firm vs ‘illegal occupants’
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe said the country must “stand firm against illegal occupants in our waters.”
“The Philippines’ friendship with its fellow nations must pave the way for common respect and rules-based approach in maintaining peace and stability in our waters,” she said.
“We must remain resolute in protecting our maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea,” she added.
Senator Grace Poe
Further, she encouraged the government to continue its patrols in the area.
“As we continue to raise our voices against the threats to our waters, our government must not renege on patrolling WPS to ensure that Filipino fishermen are secure as they venture into the common fishing grounds for livelihood,” she said.
“Our presence in the West Philippine Sea is an unyielding display that we are standing our ground on what is ours and securing our people’s productive access to our marine resources,” she added.
Over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard announced that it has been conducting drills in the West Philippine Sea as part of efforts to secure “our maritime jurisdiction.”