Ni NOEL ABUEL
Kinondena ng mga senador ang panibagong paggigipit ng Chinese Coast Guard at Chinese maritime militia sa pagbangga sa barko ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na magdadala lang ng supply sa mga sundalo sa Ayungin Shoal.
Nagkakaisa ang sentimiyento nina Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senador Grace Poe at Senador Jinggoy Estrada sa pagkondena sa ginawang pagbangga ng barko ng China sa barko ng PCG
“I am one with peace-loving Filipinos in strongly condemning this latest abhorrent actions of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia that put in danger the lives of our brave countrymen who were on a routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal,” sabi ni Zubiri.
Pinuri nito ang mga tauhan ng PCG at ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa matapang at hindi nagpatinag na ituloy ang resupply mission sa kabila ng ginagawang panggigipit ng China Coast Guard at ng kanilang maritime militia.
“I also call on China Coast Guard to respect human lives and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws governing safe maritime travel. Our freedom of navigation in our own exclusive economic zone within our own continental shelf should be recognized and upheld,” sabi ni Zubiri.
Tinitiyak nito na bibigyan ng malaking dagdag na pondo ang PCG at AFP upang makatulong sa pagbabantay sa exclusive economic zones ng Pilipinas laban sa mga illegal foreign intrusions.
“As leader of the Senate, I will make sure that our troops will get sufficient funds under the 2024 national budget to bankroll the much-needed upgrade of their equipment,” sabi ni Zubiri.
Ayon naman kay Poe, sinabi nitong hindi katangap-tanggap ang mapanganib na blocking maneuvers ng China sa West Philippine Sea na nagresulta sa pagbangga sa dalawang Philippine boats na magsasagawa lamang ng resupply mission sa Ayungin Shoal.
“China’s latest act of aggression poses a credible concern that could heighten the tension not only between Philippines and China, but could also be a potential flashpoint in the region. While an immediate diplomatic protest is anticipated, the recent incident calls for a serious rethinking of our strategies in dealing with these acts,” sabi nito.
Sinabi naman ni Estrada na ang ginawa ng China ay tahasang paglabag sa maritime norms at international law gayundin ay magiging banta ito sa seguridad at kaligtasan sa nasabing rehiyon.
“We strongly condemn the reckless and hostile behavior of the Chinese Coast Guard towards our resupply boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) resulting in a collision near Ayungin Shoal. These actions not only violate maritime norms and international law but also pose a threat to the safety and security of the region,” sabi nito.
“Makailang beses nang ginagawa ang panghaharang sa ating mga sasakyang pandagat at nangyari na ang pinangangambahan natin na insidente. Hindi na katanggap-tanggap ang pangyayaring ito. Aksidente man o hindi, patunay ito ng kawalan ng respeto sa atin at sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan.
“This is a violation of our sovereign rights and an assault on our maritime personnel; it is completely unacceptable. Will a mere diplomatic protest still suffice?” tanong nito.
Nagpahatid naman ng suporta ang Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas at iba pang bansa.
“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard and maritime militia’s dangerous and unlawful actions obstructing an October 22 Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea,” sabi ni U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller sa kalatas ng US embassy.
“By conducting dangerous maneuvers that caused collisions with Philippine resupply and Coast Guard ships, the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia violated international law by intentionally interfering with the Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation,” dagdag pa nito.
“PRC conduct jeopardized Filipino crew members’ safety and impeded critically needed supplies from reaching service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre. Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations undermines regional stability,” ayon pa dito.
“The United States condemns PRC’s latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk. We stand with our #FriendsPartnersAllies in protecting 🇵🇭 sovereignty and in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” sa tweeter account ni Ambassador Marykay Carlson.
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