Naglabas ng pahayag si Senador Risa Hontiveros tungkol sa muling pag-atake ng China Coast Guard (CCG), maging ng Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM), sa supply boat ng Pilipinas sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal nitong Biyernes, Nobyembre 10.
Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ng National Task Force- West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) na nangyari ang naturang pag-atake ng China bandang 7:30 ng umaga.
Chinese vessel, bumangga sa resupply boat ng AFP sa Ayungin Shoal
Maki-Balita: China Coast Guard, muling inatake supply boat ng ‘Pinas sa Ayungin – NTF-WPS
“China is an abuser. Dapat ang ginagawa sa abusado, ipinatitigil. It is unfortunate that while this recent incident is alarming, it is not entirely surprising. This pattern of abuse is one that China has mastered and will continue to follow without remorse,” ani Hontiveros.
“At a time when tensions are high around the world, China’s bullying only aggravates international relations. Instead of promoting peace, she seems to favor conflict,” dagdag pa niya.
Binigyang-diin din ng senadora na sa Pilipinas ang West Philippine Sea.
“Paulit-ulit din ang pag-giit ng Tsina na kanya daw ang ating karagatan. Abuser na, gaslighter pa. We, in government, must double down on our efforts to educate our public and campaign for the one and only truth: Atin ang West Philippine Sea.
“We must also upgrade the capabilities of our Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to maneuver past the Chinese blockade of our troops on Ayungin Shoal. Chinese use of force in the Philippines' own EEZ is contrary to international law.
This incident should push Congress to finally approve a higher budget for the intelligence funds for agencies that defend our territories. Kapag mapalakas ang ating mga frontliners sa West Philippine Sea, mapapalakas din ang ating pambansang seguridad,” pagtatapos ni Hontiveros.
Matatandaang noon lamang Oktubre 22, 2023 nang kumpirmahin ng NTF-WPS na binangga ng barko ng CCG ang AFP-contracted indigenous resupply boat na Unaiza May 2 (UM2) na nagsasagawa ng rotation and resupply (RORE) mission sa BRP Sierra Madre nang mga sandaling iyon.
