Hontiveros on China’s actions in WPS: They’re going too far, take them to court

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on the Philippine  government on Monday to bring before an international court China’s latest action in the West Philippine Sea.

“It is time for China to be held accountable for her belligerence. Sumusobra na (They’re going too far),” Hontiveros said in a statement.

She was reacting to the August  8 “dangerous maneuvering” of two Chinese fighter jets, which dropped flares into the path of a Philippine Air Force plane flying over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who  reported the incident on Saturday, condemned China’s “provocative actions, saying it “endangered the lives of our personnel undertaking maritime security operations” in the area.

“I call on the Executive to start working on the filing of another round of legal cases before an international court,” Hontiveros continued.

“Not only is China keeping our waters hostage, she has also started to encroach on our skies. These are clear and unacceptable violations of international law.”

“Paulit-ulit naring pinapahamak ng Tsina ang ating kasundaluhan. A Philippine Navy officer was already harmed; and now our Philippine Air Force pilots were put in real danger,” she added.

(China repeatedly endangers our military. A Philippine Navy officer was already harmed; and now our Philippine Air Force pilots were put in real danger)

Just last June, eight Philippine Navy sailors were injured, including one whose finger got cut  off,  when the China Coast Guard rammed their vessels during the regular rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

“We should not wait for China to escalate her provocations further before we raise these grave concerns to an international body. Maghihintay pa ba tayo na may masugatan bago tayo umaksyon?”  Hontiveros asked.

(Are we going to wait until someone gets hurt before we take action?)

“The Philippines must start a legal battle now,” she added.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. already denounced the August 8 incident, calling it “unjustified, illegal and reckless.”