Hontiveros on China’s huge force deployment: As if they own the sea

This frame grab from handout video footage taken and released on April 30, 2024 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Bagacay (C) being hit by water cannon from Chinese coast guard vessels near the chinese-controlled Scarborough shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines said the China Coast Guard fired water cannon on April 30 at two of its vessels, causing damage to one of them, during a patrol near a reef off the Southeast Asian country. (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros found China’s reported plan to send a huge force to block a civilian mission at Panatag Shoal “outrageous.”

This supposed deployment by China to block the second voyage of the “Atin Ito” Coalition from May 15 to 17 was exposed by maritime expert Ray Powell in a post on X on Monday.

But Hontiveros said no “Atin Ito” participants should be harassed or intimidated or should fear for their safety during the voyage.

“It is outrageous how China is reportedly sending a huge force to block this civilian mission. Kung maka-asta ang Tsina, akala mo sa kanila ang karagatan,” she then said in a statement on Tuesday.

(It is outrageous how China is reportedly sending a huge force to block this civilian mission. The way China acts, as if they own the sea)

The senator also lambasted China for “propagating lies” about the civilian mission, supposedly calling it a plot “concocted” by the Philippine and American governments.

But this, she said, “cannot be further from the truth.”

“This group of ordinary and private citizens simply wants to deliver goods to fellow Filipinos whom China has long deprived of food and livelihood,” Hontiveros said.

“The coalition should be free to navigate within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Bilang mga Pilipino, karapatan nilang lumayag sa EEZ ng Pilipinas,” she said.

(The coalition should be free to navigate within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). As Filipinos, they have the right to sail in the EEZ of the Philippines)

The senator stressed the civilian mission “has every right to set sail” for Panatag Shoal also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

“This is our territory. These are our waters. This is ours and only ours,” she said.

Last year, a Christmas convoy led by the coalition sailed to bring supplies to Filipino troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal but had to cut short the trip after they were harassed by Chinese vessels.