A composite image of fishermen in West Philippine Sea (JEROME CRISTOBAL / INQUIRER stock photos)
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros believes the country should amplify its efforts to educate Filipinos that West Philippine Sea is owned by Philippines.
Her remark comes following China’s latest water cannon attack against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.
In a statement on Friday, Hontiveros labelled China as an abuser, adding that abusers must be stopped.
“Paulit-ulit din ang pag-giit ng Tsina na kanya daw ang ating karagatan,” she observed.
(China has repeatedly insisted that our sea is its own.)
“We, in government, must double down on our efforts to educate our public and campaign for the one and only truth: ‘Atin ang West Philippine Sea,’” said Hontiveros.
(West Philippine Sea is ours.)
Hontiveros also said China’s recent aggression is alarming, but “not entirely surprising.”
Data from Department of Foreign Affairs showed the country has filed 125 diplomatic protests against China under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.