NAGPAHAYAG ng buong suporta ang isang miyembro ng Young Guns ng Kamara de Representantes sa hakbang ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na maghain ng diplomatic protest laban sa China kaugnay ng pangha-harass sa eruplano ng Philippine Air Force.

Sa isang press conference nitong Martes, sinabi ni 1 Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez na 100% nitong sinusuportahan ang aksyon ng DFA.

“I cannot speak on behalf Congress but I’m pretty sure everyone will agree, I don’t think may kokontra dito, we support 100% the diplomatic protest,” ani Gutierrez.

“Dati dun sa West Philippine Sea, they would find ways of having actions of war and ngayon kahit sa air mayroon na po silang mga paraan by using flares. So, we agree with the position of the President. We agree definitely and we support the diplomatic protest that is being filed by the DFA, and you can count on our support more than just words,” dagdag pa nito.

Noong Agosto 8, dalawang fighter jet ng People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft ang nagsagawa ng “dangerous and provocative actions” laban sa eruplano ng PAF sa West Philippine Sea. Ginamitan umano ng mga fighter jet ng flare ang NC-212i PAF propeller aircraft.

Binanggit din ni Gutierrez ang kahandaan ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez na suportahan ang Armed Forces at Philippine Coast Guard upang mapalakas ang kakayanan nito na maipagtanggol ang bansa at maprotektahan ang teritoryo at exclusive economic zone nito.

“Personally, I think all the congressman here are excited to hear Sec. [Gilberto] Teodoro’s proposal for the next budget and they can count on our full support po dun. We will be supporting their budget whatever that they may need, for as long as kaya po ng fiscal space,” wika pa ni Gutierrez.

“Today we are having budget deliberations for Sec. [Enrique] Manalo (of the DFA) and I believe that one talking point there will also be whatever logistical support na kailangan po nila tungkol dito sa mga diplomatic protest. So definitely Congress will be supporting this,” dagdag pa nito.