A Philippine senator went to Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan municipality on Saturday and declared that the country must stand firm in defending its territory in the West Philippine Sea.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said she visited the island, which is part of the Kalayaan Island Group under the province of Palawan, to show support for residents and local officials.
“Sila at ang munisipalidad nila ay bahagi ng Pilipinas kaya hinding-hindi sila dapat pabayaan,” Hontiveros said.
“The Philippines is made up of thousands of beautiful islands, including Kalayaan. Napakaganda ng lugar na ito, tulad ng iba pang mga isla at likas-yaman sa ating bansa. We must protect and defend it with all that we’ve got,” she added.
Hontiveros, who joined the Maritime Domain Awareness flight of the Philippine Coast Guard to the WPS, said the national government must continue providing basic services, security and infrastructure on the island to strengthen the country’s presence there.
Hontiveros added that protecting the West Philippine Sea is not only about territory but also about the livelihood of Filipinos who depend on its marine resources.
Her visit came as the Senate of the Philippines discussed stronger action against officials of the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
Some senators have suggested asking the executive branch to declare certain Chinese diplomats persona non grata after public statements from the embassy that lawmakers said crossed diplomatic lines.
The Senate later adopted a resolution condemning the remarks but did not formally declare any diplomat persona non grata.
Under the law, only the President, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, can order the expulsion of foreign diplomats.
Tensions between the Philippines and China continue despite the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which rejected China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea. China has refused to recognize that decision.
Hontiveros also brought groceries for locals, led a medical mission with doctors and portable labs for health check-ups, and donated more than 20 portable desalination machines for troops stationed in different maritime areas in KIG.
