The Makabayan bloc has filed a resolution asking the House of Representatives to look into the November 16 Ayungin Shoal incident wherein Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and water cannoned Filipino supply boats en route to a supply mission inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Supply mission done, finally
The military, meanwhile, reported it has completed its resupply mission for its troops aboard the partly sunken BRP Sierra Madre on Tuesday, exactly a week after Chinese Coast Guard vessels attacked with water cannons two Filipino civilian supply boats.
The delivery of supplies apparently went along with the deployment of troops on scheduled rotation aboard the Sierra Madre, which is being used as an outpost by the military in securing the Ayungin Shoal.
“The two civilian resupply boats manned by the Philippine Navy arrived at the Sierra Madre in the Ayungin shoal at 11 a.m. today without any untoward incident,” Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said hours after the two boats reached the Sierra Madre. “They are presently unloading personnel and cargo. After a couple of days they will return to Oyster Bay,” the defense chief added, referring to the Philippine Navy’s base in Palawan.
The resupply mission was undertaken after Lorenzana said on Sunday that he had ordered the Armed Forces Western Command to carry out the aborted activity, wherein China’s ambassador in Manila has also assured that Beijing will not interfere in the resupply mission.
China’s ‘aggression and arrogance’
IN filing House Resolution 2370 last Monday, the Makabayan bloc said the Ayungin Shoal incident is but another manifestation of China’s increasing “aggression and arrogance” in claiming and annexing Philippine waters and territories.
“These past years have witnessed how China converted Philippine seas and fishing grounds into military installations, how China bullied and threatened Filipino fisherfolk out of their own fishing grounds, and, how China openly plundered or destroyed the country’s maritime resources,” it said.
“The government’s cowardly stance and failure to uphold the country’s own valid and rightful claims in these waters have further emboldened China to conduct itself like an imperial hooligan in the Philippines’s own territory,” the bloc added.
According to the bloc, the Duterte administration’s “kneel or war policy in dealing with China comes as a thin veil to cover-up his apparent servility to an imperialist power, like China. Countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries have steadfastly opposed China’s expansionism without resulting to a real threat of invasion or war
The bloc also said that it is the duty of Congress to ensure that our territorial integrity is intact, local and international laws be honored and recognized, and more importantly, the safety and economic rights of are people are protected and ensured. It is also the duty of Congress and all patriotic Filipinos to defend our territories from foreign dominance and intrusion.
Image courtesy of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana