Senator Risa Hontiveros.
INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros is expecting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “firm assertion” of the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during his state visit to China in January.
Hontiveros said that Marcos’ meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping should be in the context of Beijing’s incursion into Philippine jurisdiction.
“I expect nothing less than a firm assertion of our sovereign and legal rights in the West Philippine Sea,” the senator said in a statement.
“Everything that is to be discussed should be in the context of China’s incessant incursions in our territories; therefore, every prospective deal or engagement should be premised upon China’s recognition of the Philippines’ rightful ownership of the WPS,” she added on Wednesday.
Hontiveros also said Marcos should assert to Xi that the Philippines will not give up an inch of Philippine territory.
“I would want for President Marcos to make it clear to President Xi Jinping what he had committed during his [State of the Nation Address]: not to give up a square inch of Philippine territory,” she said.
READ: PH won’t give up even a square inch of territory – Bongbong Marcos
China must also acknowledge and respect the 2016 arbitral ruling, said Hontiveros, before Manila and Beijing begin talks on joint exploration in the WPS.
READ: Marcos: PH must find ways to overcome ‘roadblock’ from joint oil exploration in WPS
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim and ruled that the Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights over the WPS in the South China Sea.
READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea
The opposition legislator likewise said that the Philippines should continue pushing for its rights while bolstering bilateral economic and trade cooperation with China.
“Government must always be reminded, however, that economic gains from our relationship with China should not supersede our duty to protect our sovereignty and uphold our national interest,” she said.
Recently, all senators unanimously supported a resolution denouncing the persisting intimidation, threats, and harassment of Chinese vessels to Philippine boats and personnel.
Hontiveros said that Marcos would be well advised to review the resolution “so as to make an unyielding stand, as he should, for the sake of our country and the Filipino people.”
It was reported that Chinese vessels are swarming in Philippine territory and that China is doing reclamation activities in unoccupied reefs in the Spratly Islands in the contested South China Sea.
READ: DND airs concern over Chinese vessels ‘swarming’ in WPS
To date, the Philippines lodged 193 diplomatic protests against China since the start of the year.
READ: DFA ‘seriously concerned’ over China’s ‘reclamation activities’ in Spratly’s unoccupied reefs