Zubiri: Senate to pass strongly-worded reso on China’s creeping WPS invasion

The Senate will pass a “strongly-worded” resolution next week urging the Marcos administration to raise China’s “creeping invasion” of the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said Tuesday.

“This coming week, we will pass a strongly worded resolution of our disgust, of our frustrations, anger, as shown by Pulse Asia, of the people on the repeated incursions. I think that is the most important, the stand of the Senate. Ninety-five percent of senators are in unison pagdating po sa condemnation sa tinatawag ko ngang creeping invasion,” Zubiri said in a press conference.

The lawmaker said it was a “creeping invasion” because Chinese boats were getting closer to Philippine territories such as Palawan.

“I find it totally illogical for them to conclude that it (Reed Bank) is their territory. Just look at the map and you will see who is telling the truth. If we do not do a push back baka andun na sila sa El Nido, Palawan at i-claim na rin nila yan,” he said.

Zubiri stressed the need to gather enough videos and photos and present this evidence before the UN.

“Dapat malaman ng UNGA ano ang nangyayari. Kung ipinakita natin sa kanila ang base na itinayo ng China sa mga lugar na ito, sa tingin ko magagalit din sila,” he said.

According to the Senate President, they will include a provision in the resolution condemning China’s actions in the WPS.

“It will be part of the whereas clauses, but it will be a resolution supporting the recommendation for the government to take this back to the UN for them to see the continued incursion and repeated bullying tactics within our exclusive economic zone,” he said.

The Senate will continue to pass this kind of resolution as long as China continues its incursions in WPS, Zubiri said.

“We will continue to do so while they are continuing these incursions. While the [Department of Foreign Affairs] is diplomatic, the Senate doesn’t have to be diplomatic. The Senate is the expression of your sentiments,” he explained.

“If the President wants to be diplomatic about it, we don’t have to be held by that diplomacy. We can express our sentiments as we should be. It is a nationalist issue. It is an issue of territory. Ayoko magising nang wala na ang Palawan sa atin,” Zubiri said.

On Sunday, Zubiri expressed his intention to support Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros’ resolution which urges the Marcos administration to raise China’s continuous aggression in the WPS before the UNGA.

Zubiri said Hontiveros’ resolution was expected to be tackled on the week the Senate resumes session. — DVM, GMA Integrated News