SEN. Jinggoy Estrada on Monday called on the Philippine government to protest China’s repeated “illegal and aggressive acts” in the West Philippine Sea.
Estrada issued the statement following the collision between a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel near Escoda Shoal.
“The spate of incidents of harassment, bullying, and aggression displayed by Chinese authorities against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, and a ranking Filipino official clearly shows that China deserves the strongest condemnation from our government,” he said.
Estrada praised Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for standing his ground during an international engagement, saying Teodoro defended the Philippines’ dignity by responding to what he described as Chinese disinformation and refusing to allow a provocation to go unanswered.
He said the Philippines should remain firm in asserting its position in the West Philippine Sea despite repeated pressure from China.
