An activist group actively campaigning for the Philippines’ rightful ownership of the West Philippine Sea has condemned the latest attack made by China through its coast guard and maritime militia vessels against a Philippine civilian vessel conducting a humanitarian mission to deliver food and other essential supplies to Filipino fisherfolk near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Sunday, August 25.
Atin Ito Coalition condemned China’s latest action of ramming and using water cannons on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Sanday, which was 10 nautical miles off Escoda Shoal.
The group also criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s continued silence regarding the WPS issue.
“China’s latest ramming attack is as despicable as Vice President Sara Duterte’s treacherous silence,” the group said.
“A day before we celebrate National Heroes’ Day, China’s cowardly aggression once again targeted our heroic frontliners at sea. This blatant disregard for international law is appalling. Yet, even more revolting is the Vice President’s betrayal through her silence,” it added.
Atin Ito also said Duterte failed the country’s heroes at sea by offering no support or even a statement of condemnation against China’s actions, but has found time to apologize to the followers of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy following the Philippine National Police personnel storming his Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in an attempt to serve a warrant of arrest against him.
“May boses si Sara para sa mga tulad ni Quiboloy, pero wala para sa mga bayani ng West Philippine Sea,” Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan Party President Rafaela David stated.
David didn’t mince words, calling on both China and Duterte to issue a public apology to the Filipino people “for their relentless assaults on our sovereignty.”
“As for VP Sara, she owes the nation an apology for her gutless silence and spineless complicity. While our frontliners defend our waters with unwavering courage, she hides behind silence defending a controversial multi-million peso children’s book,” David stressed.
“Matapang lang siya kapag naagrabiyado siya at ang kanyang mga kampon pero tameme kapag karapatan na ng mamamayan ang tinatapakan. If she has any shred of integrity left, she should apologize—not just for her silence, but for failing to lead when our nation needed her the most,” she added.
