Bullying will always be met with pushback, Senators tell China

Sen. Grace Poe —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday reminded China that its aggression in Philippine waters will always be “met with pushback.”

Sen. Grace Poe, in a statement, said she deplores China’s latest irresponsible maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea.

This, after a Philippine vessel was rammed and another subjected to aggressive maneuvers by Chinese Coast Guard ships in Escoda Shoal.

National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said ships BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Bacagay encountered CCG while delivering supplies to Lawak and Patag islands early Monday morning.

READ: PH vessels rammed, harassed by China anew in West Philippine Sea – Malaya

“The damage inflicted on the Philippine vessel endangers the safety of the crew. This also undermines the freedom of sea routes guaranteed under international laws,” said Poe.

“We will continue to stand behind our Coast Guard in protesting and exposing these unlawful activities to send a message that such bullying will always be met with pushback,” she emphasized.

READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea

Ending her statement, Poe called on government agencies concerned to intensify the country’s maritime security cooperation with the “allies and neighbors that similarly believe that international law is on the Philippines’ side.”

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said the incident only proved the need to reassess China’s sincerity and good faith in its participation in the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism (BCM) with the Philippines.

“Such acts of aggression are unacceptable and call for an immediate cessation of hostile actions. It is imperative that China respects the Philippines’ sovereign rights and adheres to international maritime law,” said Tolentino, chair of the chamber’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones.

China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is borne out of a sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

It, however, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.