The Makabayan bloc on Wednesday filed a House Resolution calling for an investigation in aid of legislation into China's claim that the country allegedly promised several times to tow away the military BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.
Under House Resolution No. (HRN) 1215, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women's party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has spoken up that he would rescind the agreement if it exists.
"Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the camp of former President Joseph Estrada categorically denied that there is such commitment to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal," they said.
Basahin> kopya ng resolusyon ng Makabayan Bloc para matukoy kung sino talaga ang tinutukoy ng China na nangako sa kanila na alisin ang BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal, isinumite sa Kamara @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/ppJgZ8XKoh
— milky rigonan đź’‹ (@milkyrigonan) August 23, 2023
"Meanwhile, it is under the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III wherein the Philippines filed (January 2013) and won (July 2016) the arbitration case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration," the Makabayan bloc solons added.
Castro, Brosas, and Manuel pointed out that it is only former President Rodrigo Duterte who is yet to release a statement on China Foreign Ministry's claim that the country promise to remove the BRP Sierra Madre.
They also recalled that it was Duterte who called the arbitration ruling in the West Philippine Sea "a piece of paper that he can throw away in a trash bin."
"While China has yet to show any proof that such agreement happened, this warrants a thorough investigation to ascertain if the claim is true or China is only making this up," the Makabayan solons said.
They said the lower house, being the representatives of the people, should identify the "traitors" in the national government that "compromised" the country's sovereign and territorial integrity.
The Makabayan solons join the call to punish the official who made the promise, in accordance with the law.
"Now therefore be it resolved, that the House of Representatives, through the Committee on Foreign Affairs, investigate, in aid of legislation the veracity of the alleged promise to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal as claimed by China," they furthered.
