Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — China’s recent aggression against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel prodded Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to ask: “China, bakit napakahirap kang kaibiganin at napakahirap mong mahalin?” (China, why are you so hard to love and make friends with you?))
These were Zubiri’s words in his privilege speech, which he delivered in a plenary session on Monday, days after Chinese Coast Guard blocked and fired a water cannon at Philippine Coast Guard’s vessel bound for Ayungin Shoal.
“We are often reminded that politics stops at the water’s edge, meaning discussions on politics should remain within our borders. We respect that foreign affairs is a business solely pursued by the President. But how can we not speak up when the very troops who secure our borders and stand [in] harm’s way have been airing their disgust?,” said Zubiri.
According to the lawmaker, China’s “provocative, illegal, and dangerous” maneuvers within Philippine waters show its diplomatic duplicity.
“Bobolahin tayo nila na kaibigan daw sila natin. Tapos sa isang iglap bobombahin ng tubig ang ating mga barko,” Zubiri pointed out.
(They will make it appear that we’re friends. Then in an instant they will bombard our ships with water.)
“Yun nga ang sinabi ko noong isang araw—China, bakit napakahirap kang kaibiganin? At napakahirap mong mahalin. Kung gusto mo makipag-kaibigan sa ating bansa, bakit napakahirap na gawin po ito?,” he asked.
(That’s what I said the other day—China, why is it so hard to make friends with you? And you are so hard to love. If you want to make friends with our country, why is it so difficult to do so?)
According to Zubiri, this recent incident reaffirms the importance of the recently-adopted Senate Resolution 718 which condemns China’s continued incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
Zubiri, however, remained optimistic that China will eventually respect the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s South China Sea ruling.
“Although they have repaid our hospitality with hostility, harassment and hosing down of our ships, we do not give up on the hope that it [will wean off] its bullying ways and, with the world’s help and influence, [will] finally recognize our sovereignty in our very own waters,” said Zubiri.
“[In] the search for better strategies, I urge the Executive to run the point, using all viable tools at its disposal, such as a possible joint patrol over the West Philippine Sea with our allies, and the ones we have enumerated in our resolution,” he added.