More than diplomatic response urged to swarming of Chinese vessels near Julian Felipe Reef

By Macon Ramos-Araneta 

Sen. Risa Hontiveros considered “appalling, but again, not surprising,” the swarming of vessels near Julian Felipe Reef.

“We have seen this before,” said Hontiveros.

She recalled that in 2021, over 200 ships were moored near Julian Felipe Reef. Because of this she urged the government to file a diplomatic protest.

In 2022,  she said the Chinese vessels returned. 

“Now, they repeated it again,” she said. She said that every day, China has a plan to invade Philippine territories. “It is indeed clear that they started the chaos, not us.”

“No matter how many times our government and the international community condemn China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, Beijing simply does not listen.

By now, she said “we should be doing more than fire off a diplomatic protest. We have to execute actionable on-the-ground steps to prevent the Chinese from any reclamation and base-building activities in Julian Felipe,” said Hontiveros. 

She hopes this will be done by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. 

She also acknowledged the Philippine Coast Guard for upholding their duty to patrol Philippine seas despite China’s overwhelming presence. 

She said there should be more law enforcers to intensify drive away the Chinese vessels.

Meanwhile.  Senator Francis  Tolentino  has expressed worries that the Christmas Convoy might  be blocked by big Chinese ship on their way to Ayungin Shoal. 

Still, he hopes that no untoward incident  will happen to the Mass that will be held upon arrival in the said place. He called for prayers and moral support for the convoy  especially with the rising tension in the West Philippine S.

During his speech at the financial aid distribution at Gapan, Nueva Ecija,  Tolentino hoped there wouldn’t be a repeat of the bombing in the Mass  in Mindanao and asked for prayers for earthquake victims as well.

The senator further concluded by asking prayers for Mindanao, which has also been struggling with recurring earthquakes.