MARIING kinondena ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez nitong Linggo ang panibangong panghaharass ng Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) sa tatlong bangka ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Kasabay nito ay nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya si Speaker Romualdez sa ginawang pagtutol ng China sa resolusyong pinagtibay ng Kamara de Representantes na tumutuligsa sa iligal na aksyon nito sa WPS.

Iginiit ni Speaker Romualdez na ang pag-atake sa mga bangka ng BFAR na Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, at Datu Tamblot na nasa isang humanitarian mission ay ikinokonsiderang paglabag sa international norms at direktang humahamon sa soberanya at karapatan ng Pilipinas.

“The use of water cannons and long-range acoustic devices against our vessels, causing significant damage and distress to our crew, is unacceptable and unjustifiable,” ani Speaker Romualdez.

“These actions by the [CCG], in preventing our vessels from conducting a peaceful resupply mission to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), demonstrate a brazen disrespect for the rule of law and established international agreements,” dagdag pa nito.

Ipinaalala rin ni Speaker Romualdez sa international community na ang Bajo de Masinloc at nasa loob ng 370 kilometrong exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas na pinagtibay ng 2016 arbitral ruling, na hindi pinapansin ng China.

“The acts of intimidation and harassment against Filipino fisherfolk, who depend on these waters for their livelihood, are not only a violation of their rights but also an affront to human dignity. To prevent the distribution of humanitarian support, as was the case in this incident, is not only illegal but also inhumane,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez.

Iginiit ng lider ng Kamara na dapat tigilan na ng China ang mga iligal na aktibidad na ginagawa nito.

“We will not be intimidated nor will we stand down in the face of these unwarranted and illegal actions,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez, lider ng Kamara na may mahigit 300 miyembro.

Nanawagan din si Speaker Romualdez sa China na irespeto ang soberanya ng Pilipinas at itigil ang kanilang mararahas na aksyon at mahinanong resolbahin ang isyu.

“The Philippines, as a sovereign nation, will continue to defend its rights and protect the interests of its people. We stand in solidarity with our fishermen and reiterate our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our national territory and maritime entitlements,” wika pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

“Let this incident be a reminder to the international community of the urgent need to uphold and respect international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to support nations in defending their sovereign rights,” dagdag pa nito.

Samantala, kinondena rin ni Speaker Romualdez ang pahayag ni Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin na nagbabasura sa House Resolution (HR) No. 1494.

Pinagtibay ng Kamara ang HR 1494 na mariing kumokondena sa mga iligal na ginagawa ng China sa WPS at humihimok sa gobyerno na ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa nitong pagdepensa sa teritoryo ng bansa at paggiit na sundin ang 2016 arbitral ruling.

“China’s rejection of the resolution is disheartening, especially in light of its continued illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, a clear violation of the Arbitral Award,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez.

Sinabi ng lider ng Kamara na ang paglalagay ng artificial island at ang militarization sa lugar ay nagpapakita ng pagbabalewala ng China sa international law at nagsisilbing banta sa kaayusan ng rehiyon.

Muling iginiit ni Speaker Romualdez ang pangangailangan na nagkaroon ng diplomatikong solusyon sa problema.

“Our nation, a firm believer and advocate of the Rule of Law, will continue to use diplomatic tools to address Chinese aggression,” saad pa ng Speaker.

Iginiit din ni Speaker Romualdez ang pangako ng Kamara na patuloy na itataguyod ang karapatan at soberanya ng bansa.

“We fully support our troops and coast guard patrolling our exclusive economic zone against China’s vessels, ensuring the rights of our fishermen. The House is committed to enhancing our defense posture in the WPS through legislation, utilizing Congress’s power of the purse. We assure our Philippine Coast Guard and Navy of the necessary support they need,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez.

Nanawagan si Speaker Romualdez sa China na irespeto ang soberanya ng Pilipinas at igalang ang karapatan nito at makipag-usap upang hindi mabalam ang kapayapaan sa rehiyon.

“The Philippines remains steadfast in defending its rights and protecting the interests of its people,” pagtatapos ng lider ng Kamara.