Yap says PH should not be scared of China’s construction in West PH Sea

MANILA, Philippines — ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Eric Yap on Monday said the country should not be “scared” if China is building structures in disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, as these facilities would eventually be owned by the Philippines once the “day of reckoning” comes.

During the House plenary deliberations on the 2021 budget, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas raised China’s continued construction within Philippine territory as confirmed previously by the Department of National Defense (DND). She insisted that this issue requires action from the Philippine government.

However, Yap, who is defending the proposed 2021 budget of the Office of the President, said the Philippine government has been taking diplomatic actions to address the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

“Halimbawa na lang natin sa lupa na mayroon tayong dispute at ‘yung isang mas malaking pwersa, mayroon siyang mga military na pinalibutan ang ating lupa [at] nagtayo sila ng structure doon sa ating lupa kung saan tayo may claim. Definitely, ‘pag tayo ay nanalo sa Korte, ‘yung kanilang itinayo ay mapupunta sa atin dahil atin ang lupa,” Yap explained.

“Ang sinasabi ko lang, ‘wag tayong matakot kung magtayo sila ng structure dahil bandang huli, pag na-enforce natin ang ating karapatan, dumating na ang day of reckoning, ay ‘yung mga structure na ‘yun ay mapupunta rin naman satin ‘yun,” he added.

Citing the latest report of the Pentagon in the United States Congress, Brosas said there are seven Chinese military outposts within the Kalayaan Group of Islands, which is part of the Philippine territory.

“Ayon mismo sa Pentagon, China’s outposts are capable of supporting military operations and include advanced weapon system,” Brosas said.

In response, Yap said the Palace is aware of such information.

“Kaya nga ang sinasabi ng ating Presidente, hindi tayo pwede makipag-gyera ngayon pero hindi ibig sabihin nito, isinusuko natin ang ating karapatan. Maraming paraan upang ipaglaban natin ang ating lupa, ang ating claims,” Yap said.

Yap further said that it’s important for the Philippines to maintain good relationships with its neighboring countries since this could also help the country in its battle against COVID-19.

“Ang ating bansa ay nakakaharap sa COVID-19 pandemic so ang importante ngayon ay magkaroon tayo ng magandang diplomatic relationship upang sa ganon, kung magkaroon ng vaccine ang China at ang kapitbahay nating bansa, ay isa tayo sa priority na mabigyan,” Yap said.

Yap then emphasized that certain government actions on the maritime row cannot be disclosed because these are matters of national security.

“Pero ang sinasabi ko, ang ating Presidente kilala ko eh, alam niya kung kailan makikipaglaban. Alam niya kung kailan tatahimik at alam niya ang strategy,” Yap said.

“At ngayon, very confident ako na mayroong aksyon na ginagawa ang gobyerno na hindi lang talaga natin pwedeng i-disclose. Hindi naman natin talaga sinusuko ulit ang karapatan ng ating bansa at ‘yung claims natin,” he added.

But an apparently unsatisfied Brosas said the government should still defend the country from external issues even during the pandemic.

“Kung sinasabi ng ating sponsor na mayroong ginagawa, I hope it will not be too late dahil ongoing hanggang ngayon ‘yung pagkakaroon ng mga gantong pasilidad ng China at dito tayo nagwo-worry kasi…kailangan natin maipagtanggol ang bansa natin, ang soberanya natin,” Brosas said.

“Hindi dapat masamantala itong panahon na ito para mas lalo pang makakamkam o makakuha ng ating mga islands or teritoryo ang iba pang mga bansa,” she added.

KGA