Senate OKs resolution telling DFA to bring to UN issue on China’s incursions in WPS

Senator Risa Hontiveros (File photo by Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senators adopted on Tuesday a resolution condemning China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The resolution urges the Philippine government to take appropriate action in asserting its rights over its exclusive economic zone.

Senate Resolution (SR) No. 718 was unanimously approved in a plenary session on Tuesday.

It indicated that the Department of Foreign Affairs is expected to continue holding a dialogue with China to assert the Philippines’ sovereign rights in WPS.

If such efforts are continuously ignored by China, and the harassment of our fisherfolk, navy, and Coast Guard persists, the Department of Foreign Affairs is further urged to pursue the following courses of action:

– Bring to the international body the issue of China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen;

– Ask other countries and various international organizations with similar stand against China to call on the Asian giant to respect The Hague ruling;

– File a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly to cease China’s activities that harass Philippine vessels and violate the Philippines’ established rights.

“Isang napakahalagang tagumpay ito, hindi lang ng Senado, kundi ng buong Pilipinas. The Senate crossed party lines to stand unified for our country,” said Senator Risa Hontiveros in her manifestation speech.

(This is one of the most important victories in the Senate and the whole country.)

Hontiveros sponsored the resolution.

“I would especially like to thank my Minority Leader, Senator Koko Pimentel, for his advise and support, and I would also like to most especially thank Senate President [Juan Miguel] Zubiri for helping us reach a consensus on a resolution that strongly captures the anger and frustration of the Filipino people,” the senator told fellow lawmakers.

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APL/abc