STANDING FIRM AGAINST CHINA: Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri vows to protect the interest of the Filipino people amid the continuous incursion of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In his co-sponsorship speech during Wednesday’s plenary session, July 26, 2023, Zubiri described China’s incursion in the WPS and the harassment of Filipino fisherfolk as reprehensible and completely illogical. (Bibo Nueva Espaٌa / Senate PRIB).
MANILA, Philippines — For two lawmakers, refurbishing BRP Sierra Madre, which currently is grounded at Ayungin Shoal, would reaffirm the country’s sovereign rights over the territory.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, in a statement on Wednesday, said BRP Sierra Madre should be refurbished, noting that it could help “ward off bullies” from the North.
“My personal opinion I agree that the BRP Sierra Madre should be refurbished. Not just to ward off the bullies in the North but also for any possible natural calamities that may put our marines in harm’s way. If funding is requested from us in the Senate, then the Senate will gladly comply and fund it for our brave men and women of the marines and navy. They deserve our unconditional support as they sacrifice themselves for us,” said Zubiri.
The statement was issued days after China claimed that the Philippines promised “multiple times” to tow away the vessel in Ayungin Shoal but has yet to do so.
In a separate statement issued Wednesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros likewise stated that she will support the initiative if the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were to make a request to refurbish the commissioned vessel.
“Dapat lang i-reinforce yung pinaka-presensya ng ating gobyerno at bansa diyan sa Ayungin Shoal na bahagi ng ating exclusive economic zone. At dapat lang sigurong i-refurbish alang-alang naman sa mas makataong antas ng pamumuhay ng ating kababayang Philippine Navy Marines, na literally and figuratively itinataguyod ang watawat natin doon,” said Hontiveros.
(We should reinforce the very presence of our government and country in Ayungin Shoal which is part of our exclusive economic zone. And maybe it should be refurbished for the sake of a more humane standard of living for our fellow Philippine Navy Marines, who literally and figuratively uphold our flag there.)
The Chinese Foreign Ministry earlier claimed that Ayungin Shoal, which it called Ren’ai Jiao, “has always been part” of China’s territory. But Ayungin Shoal is located about 194 kilometers off Palawan province, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
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