MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday urged the government to end infrastructure projects with companies tied with China’s building of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“These predatory Chinese companies must be stopped. Let us not give up our sovereignty for infrastructure that can be led by many other companies that do not actively engage in encroaching on our territories. Huwag natin isuko ang ating mga teritoryo para sa iilang proyekto na wala ding kasiguraduhang tunay na makakatulong sa Pilipino,” the senator said in a statement.
(Let us not surrender our territory for projects that have no assurance to improve the lives of Filipinos.)
“It is disturbing that the government has engaged with Chinese companies involved in the destruction of our territories. Tayo na nga ang ninanakawan ng teritoryo, tapos magiging kasabwat din pala ang gobyerno sa pagnanakaw na ito? (We are the ones who got robbed while the government has a hand in this crime?)” Hontiveros added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin Jr. previously said he will recommend the termination of such government contracts involved in China’s construction of artificial lands in the disputed WPS.
The senator cited the US Department of Commerce’s list of Chinese companies in the construction of military islands included China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC) which has several infrastructure projects with the Philippines.
Hontiveros said CCCC’s subsidiaries have memorandum of understanding for Davao Coastline and Port Development Project, Manila Harbour Center Reclamation Project, Cebu International and Bulk Terminal Project, and the Manila-Clark railway.