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Senators call for stronger, unified action vs. incursions in WPS

Philippine News Agency

By Wilnard Bacelonia
January 13, 2025, 3:12 pm

MANILA -- Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday called for stronger and unified action against Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) incursions in Philippine waters.

"The repeated incursions of Chinese Coast Guard vessels into Philippine waters, particularly within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), require a comprehensive and proactive response from our government," Estrada said in a statement.

Estrada emphasized the importance of leveraging the 2016 Arbitral Award, a decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that affirmed the Philippines' claim to sovereign rights in the maritime areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"Makailang ulit ko ng sinabi, nasa panig natin ang mga legal na batayan para ipaglaban ang ating karapatan (I have said many times that we have the legal grounds to fight for our rights)," Estrada said.

He also recalled the Senate's adoption of Resolution No. 79 on Aug. 1, 2023, which condemned China's harassment of Filipino fishermen and intrusions into the WPS.

The Senate also called on the government to take decisive measures to secure the nation's maritime rights within the EEZ and continental shelf.

"I think it's crucial to take action now. We need a proactive, united, and sustained approach to protect our rights and ensure the safety and security of our people," Estrada said.

"The Philippines will not yield to coercion or intimidation when faced with challenges to our sovereignty."

Meanwhile, Hontiveros criticized China calling its incursions a disruptive act that undermines regional peace.

"China is not starting the year right. Instead of keeping the peace in the region, she has chosen to create more disturbance," Hontiveros said in a separate statement.

The senator renewed her call for the government to file new cases against Beijing in international courts, emphasizing that without decisive action, China's vessels will continue to return, posing a persistent threat to Philippine sovereignty.

Hontiveros also urged the government to strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations, advocating for joint Coast Guard patrols in contested waters.

"Together, let us show China that no 'Monster' ship can scare us," she said.

Philippine naval and air assets are keeping a close watch on the CCG since its "monster ship" - CCG vessel 5901 - was detected inside the country's EEZ last Jan. 6.

Since then, the Philippine Coast Guard reported sightings of CCG vessel "3103" heading to Zambales to replace CCG-5901, after its five-day incursion into Philippine waters.

CCG vessel "3304" eventually replaced vessel "3103".

The PCG accused Beijing of "normalizing" such deployments in an apparent bid to "alter the existing status quo" in the contested waters. (PNA)