PINURI ni 1-RIDER Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez ang Philippine Coast Guard sa maagap nitong aksyon para mapigil ang iligal na reklamasyon ng China sa Escoda Shoal.

“We’d like to commend the PCG at naagapan po ito. Nakita po nila, and now that aware po ‘yong government natin, we’re confident that the executive will take the proper measures to make sure na hindi mangyayari ulit ‘yong nangyari sa ating mga ibang shoals,” ani Gutierrez sa daily press briefing sa Kamara de Representantes.

Binuweltahan din ng mambabatas ang China na kilala sa paggawa ng mga pekeng produkto na ngayon naman ay gumagawa ng artipisyal na isla.

“Kasi ‘yon seems to be the technique ng China – ang galing nilang gumawa ng peke, kahit pekeng island kaya po nila,” sabi ni Gutierrez.

Giit ng mambabatas ang Escoda Shoal ay malinaw na nasa loob ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas.

“Kailangan natin maagapan talaga, nasa teritoryo po natin ito eh. At alam naman nating mga Pilipino, ayaw natin ng peke, hindi po tayo papayag diyan. So again we commend and we support fully the PCG,” ani Gutierrez.

“I have no doubts – I don’t have the authority – but I’m sure I speak for everyone here, we are in full support to our PCG, AFP, Navy, kung ano man ‘yan,” sabi pa ng mambabatas.

Pinuna rin nito ang napaulat na pagpapadala ng fleet blockade ng China sa Panatag shoal para harangin ang Peace and Solidarity Regatta ng Atin Ito Coalition.

“It seems to be the counter initiative ng China, blockading a shoal for, I think regatta. I’d assume this is a civilian operation. Fun boating lang naman po ito, within our waters. By what authority po would they be (doing this blockade?” tanong ni Gutierrez.

“Ito po ‘yong problema po natin sa China. They insist on having peaceful negotiations, they force us into bilateral agreements, pero resupply mission ayaw po nila. Food and water sa ating mga sundalo, ayaw po nila. ‘Pag simple traversing of our waters, ayaw po nila, which are again our waters in international standards, because of the arbitration ruling,” sabi pa niya.

“Tayo po ‘yung tama dito ngunit ayaw po nila. At ngayon hindi po sila papayag for a simple civilian fun boating experience? I think we follow of course of the executive, the President, as chief architect of our foreign policy, but we fully support the direction that we’re going, that we’re taking a better, tougher stand po siguro on our territory,” saad pa ng kongresista.