Senators to merge Zubiri, Hontiveros resos vs. China incursions

Senators have agreed to pass a resolution condemning the harassment of Filipino fishermen and the "incursions" of the Chinese Coast Guard and militia in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, the senators in a caucus agreed to merge the provisions of Sen. Risa Hontiveros' Proposed Senate Resolution No. 659 and his Proposed Senate Resolution No. 707.

Zubiri said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea chairman Secretary Eduardo Año, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner, and their senior officials were present.

"We have agreed to merge the provisions between the two resolutions and pass a resolution condemning the harassment of the Filipino fishermen and continued incursions of Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea," Zubiri said.

"It was a very cordial, straightforward and productive meeting between the senators and our key government officials dealing on the West Philippine Sea," he added.

Hontiveros said the resolution will be adopted on Tuesday, "combining my resolution with the Senate President's."

"Malinaw sa reso ang pagkokondena sa China and the many tools that the DFA may wield to assert our claims, pati ang paghain sa UNGA ng resolution," Hontiveros said.

"Malinaw na nagtagumpay ang gusto ng taumbayan, at hindi ang gusto ng China," she added.

(It is clear in the resolution the condemnation of China and the many tools that the DFA may wield to assert our claims including the filing of a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly. It is clear that the country's wish was followed instead of China's.) —NB, GMA Integrated News