Senators back protest vs China before UNGA

MANILA, Philippines — Most senators will support Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros’ resolution urging the Marcos administration to call out China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“(Congress resumes session) on Monday. By Tuesday we will debate that (resolution). I’m sure we can get the majority to vote in favor of this resolution that we will take it back up to The Hague as an opposition to what is happening right now,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday over dzBB. 

“I’ll show you the map: look how close the Recto Bank is, where a lot of Chinese military ships hang out. It is only 80 nautical miles from mainland Palawan. China is 450 nautical miles. They are far away. Reed Bank and the Spratlys are further away, 500 nautical miles whereas Ayungin Shoal is only 125 nautical miles away from us,” he said.

Zubiri said he does not understand why China claims areas that are too far from its landmass. 

Based on a Pulse Asia survey, Zubiri said, 75 percent of Filipinos are in favor of strengthening military ties with the United States amid security tensions in the West Philippine Sea. 

“The only thing that is not in favor is 14 percent, the disparity is huge. Our kababayans are already angry with China... If they are not angry with China, the percentage I read to you should be smaller,” he noted.  

“They are sick and tired, they are really fed up with the entry of China into our country, especially with the incursions here in Reed Bank which is very close to El Nido, in Coron, it is very close to that,” he added.

Zubiri said the Senate has a united stand on the continued harassment of fisherfolk, and will have a supermajority vote in favor of the resolution.

Sen. Hontiveros said a UNGA resolution has the potential to shape international norms and influence national policies. 

“The 2016 Hague ruling must be recognized and respected by all UN member-states, particularly China. The least all of us in government can do is to exhaust all legal, political, and diplomatic means to safeguard our sovereignty. The UNGA vote is one way to do it and I hope we can truly unite and rally behind this cause,” Hontiveros said.