黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Three senators on Tuesday aired their stance on China鈥檚 recent aggression in Ayungin Shoal, and one of them advised Filipinos to be wary of 鈥減utting too much faith鈥� on information being spread regarding the incident.

Sen. Imee Marcos, speaking to reporters in an ambush interview, said Filipinos shouldn鈥檛 get involved in the rift between the United States and China. This, after the US disclosed that China鈥檚 towing and ramming of a Philippine vessel in Ayungin Shoal on June 17 caused 鈥渂odily injury鈥� to a Filipino personnel.

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For Marcos, what needs to be done is to verify all the details available and as much as possible conduct own interviews on Filipinos onboard the vessel when the incident transpired.

鈥淚n the meantime, let us interview the Filipinos involved. Let鈥檚 not get too involved. Let鈥檚 not put too much faith on what either side is saying. As we know, the Americans and the Chinese are trying to outdo each other. So let鈥檚 do our own investigation,鈥� said Marcos.

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鈥淟et鈥檚 talk to the Filipinos on board the ship. Let鈥檚 look at the videos and other evidence to find out what really happened because there could be other versions,鈥� she added.

Come together, denounce China

Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada 鈥� chairperson of the Senate panel on national defense and security 鈥� said he is 鈥渄eeply outraged and extremely troubled鈥� by China鈥檚 acts.

鈥淭he Philippines has consistently sought peaceful and diplomatic means to resolve maritime disputes, adhering to mutual respect and cooperation principles. Yet the Chinese Coast Guard demonstrated a complete disregard for these principles and has engaged in provocative actions to escalate tensions in our territorial waters further,鈥� said Estrada in a statement.

鈥淚 strongly demand that China cease these provocative actions immediately and respect our sovereign rights. Our government will take all necessary measures to protect our people and uphold our national interests,鈥� he said.

With this, he called on the international community to 鈥渃ome together鈥� and denounce China鈥檚 acts.

PH will not be intimidated

For his part, Sen. JV Ejercito said incidents such as this only prove that there is a need to 鈥渟peed up鈥� the strengthening of the country鈥檚 defense posture.

鈥淪uch dangerous actions, including the ramming and towing of Philippine vessels, destabilize our region, jeopardize the safety of our citizens, and undermine our sovereign rights,鈥� said Ejercito in a separate statement.

鈥淐hina must be held accountable for these trespasses and for endangering Filipino lives. It is imperative for the government to utilize all available means to protect our people and our nation,鈥� he added.

Despite China鈥檚 continued incursion and aggression in Philippine waters, Ejercito said 鈥渢he Philippines will not be intimidated.鈥�

鈥淭he West Philippine Sea is rightfully ours, and we will continue to defend it,鈥� he said.