West PH Sea: Senators warn of risks after China ships collide off Panatag

SCREENGRAB FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD’S VIDEO HANDOUT

MANILA, Philippines – Senators on
Monday underscored the perils that Filipino troops face in asserting
the country’s rightful maritime jurisdiction after a China
Coast Guard (CCG) vessel chasing a Philippine Coast Guard ship
collided with a Chinese Navy warship off Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.

“This
is a classic case of reaping what one sows… These tactics not only
endanger our maritime personnel and fisherfolk—they also escalate
tensions unnecessarily. Nothing good will come of such actions,
except the empty display of logistical superiority,” said
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada in a statement.

He
said the CCG “must cease and desist from engaging in dangerous
maneuvers” against the
PCG and
other maritime vessels.

READ: Chinese ships collide off Scarborough Shoal; PH Coast Guard offers aid

Senate
Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also reiterated to the Chinese Coast
Guard and fishing militia that their continued presence and operation
at the West Philippine Sea is illegal and unauthorized.

“The
West Philippine Sea is ours. Get out of Philippine waters!” he
told them.

“[W]e
will not be cowed. We will continue to defend our sovereignty,
protect our people, and uphold the rule of law,” said Estrada.

READ: PH Coast Guard ship evades China counterpart’s water cannon

The
senators also commended “the professionalism and magnanimous act”
of PCG personnel.

“[They]
offered assistance and medical aid to the injured Chinese crew
members—even in the face of the continuing reckless aggression by
the China Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army,”
said Estrada.

“They
even managed to offer help even after they were targeted with a water
cannon,” he added.

Villanueva also said that he’s grateful because, despite the harassment, PCG personnel were safe and able to continue their duty of patrolling our territorial
waters. /dl