Matapos aminin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na hindi kakayanin ng Pilipinas na makipagdigma sa China sa agawan ng teritoryo, iginiit ni Senador JV Ejercito na dapat maghain ang pamahalaan ng diplomatic protest.
“The Scarborough Shoal and Benham Rise are part of the Philippine territory. As it is our sworn duty to protect our territorial integrity and sovereignty, I urge our foreign affairs department to file a strong diplomatic protest against China’s incursions and building activities in Philippine territory,” ani Ejercito, binanggit na nanalo na ang Pilipinas laban sa China noong nakalipas na administrasyon.
Hiniling naman ni Sen. Leila de Lima na imbestigahan ng Senado ang kaduda-dudang mga aktibidad ng China sa Benham Rise.
“There is need to ascertain the exact nature of Chinese activities in Benham Rise, especially with the threat of China’s expanding its military presence in the region,” diin niya. (Leonel M. Abasola)
