Hontiveros accuses China of ‘actively censoring truth’ about collision

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

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday accused Beijing of “censoring the truth” behind the collision of two of its vessels when it encroached into the waters of the Philippines’ Scarborough Shoal earlier this week.

READ: DFA to China: You still owe us for 2024 collision in Ayungin

Hontiveros made the pronouncement in response to a Chinese maritime expert who said that the Philippines should pay for the damages sustained by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships when they collided with each other while trying to block Philippine vessels on a humanitarian mission on Monday.

“Beijing is actively censoring the truth. Instead of owning up to its actions, it is now covering up its maritime mishap in the West Philippine Sea by spreading disinformation,” said Hontiveros in a statement.

“It’s embarrassing because of the collision of their ships, so they’re just spreading all sorts of propaganda,” she added, pointing out that even Chinese state media did report on the incident.

Hontiveros then further expressed her frustration with “Chinese mouthpieces” who continue to accuse the Philippines of “provoking” the incident and “to pay for it,” as they are twisting the facts when it is China who should be paying reparations.

“In reality, it is China who should literally pay reparations for the environmental destruction they have caused in our waters,” she pointed out.

She said this was already included in a Senate Resolution she had previously filed, which she intends to refile in the 20th Congress, urging China to pay P20 billion in damages for harassing Philippine ships.

“China must be made to pay for everything it has done against us, from disrespecting our sovereignty to spreading lies,” said Hontiveros.

“All like-minded countries should ensure that the Chinese government is held accountable for its coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea,” she added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also earlier maintained that the Philippines bears no responsibility in the collision that happened between the Chinese vessels, stressing that it is China that owes the Philippines after a different dangerous collision in 2024 in another part of the West Philippine Sea. /mr