Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano dared President Rodrigo Duterte in a #JetSkiChallenge to assert the Philippine’s sovereign rights over the West Philippines Sea.
“Oras na para tuparin naman ng Pangulo ang kanyang ipinangakong ipagtatanggol sa ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea, lalong-lalo na sa gitna ng pang-aagaw sa ating teritoryo at kabuhayan at pagkain nating mga Pilipino,” Alejano said in a statement on Saturday.
“Hinahamon ko ang ating Pangulo sa isang #JetskiChallenge,” he added.
Alejano was referring to Duterte’s promise during the 2016 presidential debate in Pangasinan wherein the President said he would ride a personal water craft (jet ski) and head toward the disputed Spratly Islands. There, he added, he would plant a Philippine flag to assert the country’s rights against China.
Alejano made the statement in the wake of Chinese presence on Philippine territory as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said more than 200 Chinese vessels from January to March occupied a disputed area called Sandy Cay near the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island.
READ: Philippines rebukes China over fishing boats
The Magdalo lawmaker urged the 74-year-old leader to act against China before China could even occupy the entire country.
“Kasabay ng nangangalawang na jet ski ng Pangulo ay ang unti-unting pagsakop sa atin ng China. Now is the perfect time to go beyond empty rhetoric and hollow promises. China has been establishing a norm which we cannot alter later on,” Alejano said.
“Ready na ang jet ski. Ang kulang na lamang ay pinunong ipaglalaban ang interes ng ating bayan,” he added. /jpv
RELATED STORY:
Duterte won’t allow China to take over Pag-asa Island