(ABANTE) Muling isinulong ni Senador Jinggoy Estrada ang pag-modernize ng military assets ng bansa nang sa gayon ay epektibong mahadlangan ang lahat ng uri ng pagbabanta at probokasyon sa West Philippine Sea.
“It would also be useful if we could frame the discussions with the recent aggression encountered by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG),” pahayag ni Estrada sa deliberasyon ng Senate Committee on National Defense and Security sa National Defense Act and the Self-Reliant Defense Posture.
“Pinapaalis po tayo ng ating kapitbahay sa sarili nating bakuran! Hindi lang tayo basta sinabihan o binantaan, kundi binomba pa ng tubig,” dagdag niya.
Ayon kay Estrada, chairman ng komite, ang aksyon ng China ay nagpapahina hindi lamang lang sa regional stability kundi nagpapasira rin sa tiwala at kooperasyon sa ASEAN region.
“The continuing acts of harassment and provocation by the Chinese Coast Guard against the Philippine Coast Guard are a matter of great concern. Just last June 30, PCG ships experienced a similar aggressive action during a regular operation to re-supply marines stationed in Ayungin Shoal,” punto niya.
“The freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle upheld by the international community and any attempt to impede the lawful operations of another nation’s vessels in open waters is unacceptable,” dagdag pa niya.
Sabi ni Estrada, ang pagharang ng Chinese Coast Guard at paggamit ng water cannons sa Philippine Coast Guard ay isang nakaalarmang pagpapakita ng aggression at paglabag sa maritime norms at international law.
“The freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle upheld by the international community, and any attempt to impede the lawful operations of another nation’s vessels in open waters is unacceptable,” diin ni Estrada.
“Such actions not only undermine regional stability but also erode trust and cooperation among neighboring countries,” sambit pa niya. (Dindo Matining)