Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (Senate PRIB file photo)
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Sunday condemned the latest actions of the China in the West Philippine Sea where Chinese vessels hit a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship and a resupply boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“I am one with peace-loving Filipinos in strongly condemning this latest abhorrent actions of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia that put in danger the lives of our brave countrymen who were on a routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal,” Zubiri said.
“Let me salute our personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for displaying courage and restraint in continuing their resupply missions despite the hostile and treacherous acts of China Coast Guard and their maritime militia,” he added.
The World War II-era landing ship BRP Sierra Madre continues to sit at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal where it has been serving as one of the Philippine military’s outposts in the West Philippine Sea for the past 24 years. (NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / INQUIRER file photo)
Zubiri likewise asked China to respect human lives and international maritime safety laws.
“I also call on China Coast Guard to respect human lives and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws governing safe maritime travel.”
“Our freedom of navigation in our own exclusive economic zone within our own continental shelf should be recognized and upheld.”
Budget hike for AFP, PCG
Zubiri also pushed for the budget increase for the PCG and AFP amid rising tension in the WPS.
“I reiterate my support for the efforts of my colleagues to increase the budget for the PCG and AFP to better capacitate them in safeguarding our exclusive economic zones from illegal foreign intrusions,” he pointed out.
“As leader of the Senate, I will make sure that our troops will get sufficient funds under the 2024 national budget to bankroll the much-needed upgrade of their equipment.”