Those are
not actions of a friend.
This was the
reaction of Senator Richard Gordon when asked about the hundreds of Chinese
vessels in the disputed waters of Pag-asa island.
Recent
reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raised the concern over
Chinese vessels that have been almost stationary near the island since the
start of this year – January. These vessels are “maritime militia” which has the purpose of making or sustain Chinese
“assertive presence” in the area, said LTC Elpidio Factor of the Western
Command.
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| President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese President Xin Jinping (photo credit to owner) |
"Sabi
ng China kaibigan natin sila, pero a friend does not send hundreds of army,
hundreds of navy, does not send hundreds of vessels to harass our fishermen in
our territory," Gordon was quoted as saying in a released statement.
(China said
they're our friend, but a friend does not send hundreds of army, hundreds of
navy, does not send hundreds of vessels to harass our fishermen in our
territory.)
The
Philippines should have a strong military and naval force or otherwise risk
being "pushed around by other countries," Senator Gordon said.
Gordon said
he pushed for 13 percent of the proceeds from the tax reform law to go to the
military, on top of the budget from the Bases Conversion and Development
Authority, to ensure that soldiers will not go to war without the proper
equipment.
The
Philippines through the Department of Foreign Affairs has already filed note
verbale over the continued presence of Chinese vessels off Pag-asa island.
The country
has repeatedly raised concerns over China’s activities in the disputed waters,
most especially the militarization of the area, which Beijing denied.
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Report from ABS-CBN News
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