KINONDENA si Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ang pagbabanta ng China na huhulihin ang mga dayuhan na pupunta sa inaangking nitong West Philippine Sea, na nasa loob ng exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas.

Ayon kay Speaker Romualdez ang pahayag na ito ay nagpapatindi lamang ng tensyon sa WPS.

“China’s aggressive pronouncements are a blatant escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea. These unilateral actions flagrantly violate international law and the established norms that guide the Philippines and other law-abiding nations with claims in the South China Sea,” ani Speaker Romualdez.

Iginiit ni Speaker Romualdez na dapat igalang ng China ang Arbitral ruling, na kinikilala rin ng mga bansa sa mundo, na nagsasabing ang Pilipinas ang may karapatan sa WPS.

“China must respect international rulings and act as a responsible member of the global community, rather than imposing its own laws unilaterally and bullying other nations,” wika pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

“The House of the Filipino People will not tolerate any arrests of our citizens or fishermen within our own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). We will fiercely defend our sovereignty and ensure the safety and rights of our people,” giit pa ng lider ng Kamara na mayroong mahigit 300 kinatawan.

Sa ulat ng South China Morning Post, sinabi na binigyan ng kapangyarihan ng Chinese government and China Coast Guard upang hulihin ang sinumang papasok sa binabantayan nitong teritoryo kasama ang pinag-aagawang teritoryo.