Press Release - Privilege speech of Senator Risa Hontiveros on West Philippine Sea

Mr. President, I rise today on a point of personal and collective privilege.

Nitong nakaraang linggo lamang, inatake nanaman ng Tsina ang ating tropa sa Bajo de Masinloc sa West Philippine Sea ng napakalakas nilang high-pressure jet stream water cannon.

Dear colleagues, according to our Philippine Coast Guard, China used water cannons that could kill. Deadly. Nakakamatay.

China fired at vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR, fully intending to target and disable their navigation and communications equipment. The Department of Foreign Affairs is also currently investigating videos showing how a China Coast Guard vessel targeted the Philippine flag hoisted on the PCG ship, BRP Bagacay.

Just last month, China's Coast Guard, again through their potentially lethal water cannons, injured four of our Philippine Navy crew, who were simply conducting their routine resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal.

Mr. President, dear colleagues, the series of attacks only shows that the Chinese government appears committed to achieving through the unlawful use of force, what it cannot achieve by international law.

Handa nilang saktan ang ating kababayan. Handa nilang bastusin ang ating soberanya.

Ilang beses na po natin naipahayag ang ating galit sa paulit-ulit na pang-aabuso. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na maintindihan ang mga

Pilipinong pinipili pa ring maliitin ang sitwasyon. Mga Pilipinong nagbubulag-bulagan sa lantarang pang-aalipusta ng Tsina.

At higit pa dito, ang mas lalong hindi ko maintindihan: Yung mga nakikipagkasundo sa Beijing bakit di nananagot? Bakit walang parusa para sa kanila? Pati ba yan babalewalain?

Recently, the Chinese Embassy in Manila alleged that under a Duterte administration "Gentleman's Agreement," the Philippines agreed that our vessels and aircraft would refrain from coming closer than 12 nautical miles from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, just over 120 nautical miles away from mainland Zambales, and well within our exclusive economic zone.

The Chinese Embassy also alleges that the Duterte administration likewise entered into another "Gentleman's Agreement" to not repair or build structures at Ayungin shoal.

If true, these were