Liberal Party urges Duterte to file diplomatic protests vs. Beijing

The Liberal Party (LP) on Thursday urged President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration to file diplomatic protests against Beijing over  China’s military activities within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

In a statement, the party said, “We implore the President and his administration to heed the call of the Filipino people: to exhibit courage, to not give away our islands, and to do right by their oaths to the Constitution.”

The party said China’s installation of missiles and landing of nuclear-capable bombers is a cause of “great concern and anxiety” for the people in the region.

Malacañang earlier expressed a similar sentiment, saying it is seriously concerned over the presence of Chinese bomber planes in the disputed South China Sea.

“We have no independent verification. But nonetheless we take note of the reports that appeared and we express our serious concerns anew on its impact on constructive efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing on Monday.

READ: Palace sees ‘very serious concern’ on China bombers in South China Sea

Meanwhile, Senator Leila de Lima filed Senate Resolution 774 urging the government to take immediate and appropriate action on China’s military activities.

“In failing to exert efforts to prevent the militarization of these waters, and to uphold our dignity as a sovereign nation, our government has been remiss both in its duty to pursue the national interest, and in its responsibilities to the community of nations,” the party stressed. /vvp