Solon to pro-China Filipinos: Why not side with PH’s interests?

This frame grab from aerial video footage taken and released on March 23, 2024 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows a China Coast Guard ship (2nd L) and vessels identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as “Chinese Maritime Militia” (L and R) surrounding the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cabra (2nd R) during its supply mission near Second Thomas Shoal in waters of the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of blocking and firing water cannon at a Filipino supply vessel on March 23 off a remote and contested South China Sea reef. (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has called out some people from “portions in our society” who supposedly act as China’s mouthpiece, asking them why they refuse to side with the government’s stand, which is in the best interests of the Philippines.

During a press briefing on Monday, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said there are so-called “Chinese apologists” who echo the allegedly wrong narrative of China regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

“What’s painful here, as a citizen of this country, is that there are portions in our society that also double down on the narrative, the wrong narrative of China.  They seem to act as the mouthpiece of China — that’s what I am mad and hurt about, because we have people, that’s what I am mad about,” Adiong said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“That’s what I am hurt about, because we have people, segments in our society (who) are also becoming apologists for China […] the worst is becoming the mouthpieces of China.  They double down on all the illegal claims of China, and during these times, we have to side with our own, we have to side with anybody who’s position really is to protect our national interest,” he added.

Adiong maintained that the stand being taken by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not arbitrary, as it was already proven in the Permanent Court of Arbitration that the Philippines enjoys exclusive rights to the WPS — with China’s nine-dash line claim being invalidated for lack of legal and historical basis.

“I think the position of our President and our government is very clear, that we have to fight for our claim at this is not arbitrarily claimed by the Philippines, the basis for this is the ruling of the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and internationally we have the moral high ground to claim these areas and the [WPS],” he noted.

READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea 

Tensions between the Philippines and China have intensified recently with the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) being more aggressive in its harassment of Philippine vessels.  Last May 1, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said their Chinese counterparts used a water cannon that could have been fatal, in driving away Philippine vessels near Ayungin Shoal.

READ: China used ‘very fatal’ water cannon pressure in latest assault—PCG 

Marcos said earlier that the PCG would not use water cannons against China, but he also maintained that the country had sovereign rights over the WPS.

However, several individuals—politicians and social media personalities, including those who supported Marcos’ ascension to the presidency—have criticized the Chief Executive for his foreign policy.

Former Speaker and now Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez has urged Marcos to focus on local issues rather than stoking tensions over WPS, to avoid the escalation of conflict in the region.  More recently, Alvarez urged military personnel to withdraw support for Marcos because the President’s actions supposedly would lead the Philippines into war.

READ: Alvarez says Marcos support withdrawal call is not seditious 

Social media vlogger Sass Rogando Sasot recently questioned the government as to what kind of foreign policy is being implemented when the Philippines seems to refrain from escalating tensions in the WPS, but also raises tensions in different ways.

Sasot was supportive of Marcos’ candidacy during the 2022 national elections.