A member of the Philippine Navy carries a Philippine flag during a short trip at Sandy Cay, a sandbar just four nautical miles from the disputed Pag-asa island in the West Philippine Sea, where several Chinese naval ships were spotted on June 26, 2022. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a resolution seeking to declare July 12 of every year as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day.
In a statement, Hontiveros said she believes that commemorating the Philippines’ 2016 triumph at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) could “weaken” China’s territorial claims.
On July 12, seven years ago, the PCA ruled in favor of the Philippines, declaring that the country has exclusive sovereign rights to the West Philippine Sea.
“Commemorating our 2016 victory every year can help weaken China’s spurious claims over our own territories,” Hontiveros said.
According to the lawmaker, the proposed Senate resolution No. 674 “highlights the landmark case ruled against the Chinese government’s claims” over the West Philippine Sea.
“Sa kabila ng makasaysayang tagumpay ng Pilipinas noong 2016, patuloy parin ang panghihimasok ng Tsina sa ating exclusive economic zone. Patuloy parin ang pagtaboy [ng China] sa ating mga mangingisdang ngayo’y nawawalan na ng kabuhayan dahil sa presensya ng Tsina sa ating karagatan. Patuloy ang pangha-harass at pambubully sa ating coast guard. Patuloy ang hindi pagrespeto sa ating pambansang dignidad,” Hontiveros said.
(Despite the historic victory of the Philippines in 2016, China’s interference in our exclusive economic zone continues. China consistently repels our fishermen, who are losing their livelihood due to their presence in our ocean. The harassment and bullying of our coast guard continue. Disrespect for our national dignity continues.)
Due to China’s constant hostility, Hontiveros believes the national government must defend Philippine sovereignty.
“Kahit man lang isang beses sa bawat taon, ipagbunyi natin ang West Philippine Sea. Ipagmalaki natin ang tapang at puso ng bawat Pilipinong tumitindig sa Tsina. Ipaglaban natin ang Pilipinas,” Hontiveros concluded.
(At least once every year, let’s celebrate the West Philippine Sea. Let’s be proud of the courage and heart of every Filipino who stands up in China. Let’s fight for the Philippines.)