“The Philippines, though a smaller nation, will not be cowed or bullied into submission.”

Ito ang binigyang-diin ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez sa kaniyang pagkondena sa naging agresibong aksyon ng China Coast Guard (CCG) sa resupply boat ng Pilipinas sa Ayungin Shoal sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) nitong Biyernes, Nobyembre 10.

Matatandaang kinumpirma ng National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) na muling inatake ng vessel ng China Coast Guard (CCG), maging ng Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM), ang supply boat ng Pilipinas sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal nitong Biyernes ng umaga.

China Coast Guard, muling inatake supply boat ng ‘Pinas sa Ayungin – NTF-WPS

“This unprovoked act of hostility directly violates our nation’s sovereign rights and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," pagkondena ni Romualdez.

"The harassment, blocking, execution of dangerous maneuvers, and deployment of water cannons against unarmed vessels engaged in routine operations is not only dangerous but also a blatant disregard for the diplomatic processes we, as a nation, have consistently and firmly advocated for," dagdag pa niya.

Ayon sa House leader, ang naturang pag-atake sa katubigang sakop ng Pilipinas ay malinaw umanong isang pagtatangka ng China na pahinain ang “peace and stability” ng rehiyon.

"We demand an immediate cessation of these intimidations and call on China to respect the 2016 Hague tribunal ruling which invalidated its expansive claims over the [WPS]," giit ni Romualdez.

"We stand firm in our conviction that might does not make right. The Philippines, though a smaller nation, will not be cowed or bullied into submission. The Philippines seeks peace, but let it be known that we will defend our rights with steadfast determination," saad pa niya.

Nanawagan din ang mambabatas sa ibang mga kaalyadong bansa ng Pilipinas na makiisa sa pagkondena sa naturang aksyon ng mga vessel ng China.

"I call upon the international community, especially our ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbors and allies, to join us in condemning these actions and to stand with us in upholding the freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and the preservation of peace in the region,” ani Romualdez.

"We will take all necessary measures, including the filing of a diplomatic protest, to protect our sovereign rights and to ensure the safety of our citizens," dagdag niya.

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.