Senator Jinggoy Estrada condemned on July 18, the latest act of harassment by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua near Bajo de Masinloc, within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea.
“Muli na namang nagpamalas ng dahas ang China Coast Guard at sa pagkakataong ito’y nais pang baligtarin ang katotohanan at palabasin na may mali sa isinagawang maritime patrol ang BRP Teresa Magbanua sa loob mismo ng ating exclusive economic zone (EEZ) noong Hulyo 15,” the statement said.
According to the report by RH Raymund Dadpaas, Estrada denounced the July 15 incident, describing the actions of the CCG as “aggressive, dangerous, and bullying tactics” that must be stopped immediately.
“No amount of intimidation or coercive behavior can ever erase the fact that the Philippines’ sovereign rights are enshrined in international law — and no hostile action can invalidate what is rightfully ours,” he stated.
The senator expressed his full support for the PCG and its patrol operations, saying no foreign intimidation can alter the reality that the Philippines has sovereign rights over the area under international law.
“Nine (9) years have passed since the Permanent Court of Arbitration upheld our maritime sovereignty and integrity and ruled China’s claims over the West Philippine Sea as baseless under international law,” he said.
“Yet, China continues to ignore this decision and has been incessantly harassing our maritime personnel, scientists, and fisherfolk,” Estrada added.
Estrada also criticized the CCG’s attempt to distort the facts by portraying the Philippine patrols as illegitimate.
The senator reiterated that China’s refusal to acknowledge the 2016 ruling by the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration does not alter the legal and moral standing of the Philippines' claim.
