Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has strongly condemned China’s continuing pattern of aggression, harassment, and bullying directed at Philippine maritime assets and government personnel in the West Philippine Sea, calling for immediate diplomatic countermeasures.
In a statement, Estrada highlighted recent hostile actions taken by Chinese authorities against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, and a senior Filipino official, asserting that China’s behavior warrants firm condemnation from Manila.
Estrada commended Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro for taking a decisive stance on the global stage, praising him for asserting national sovereignty and directly countering Chinese narratives.
“Belated as this may be, I commend Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro for standing his ground on an international stage, defending our country’s dignity by countering China’s disinformation with fact, and for refusing to let a provocation go unanswered,” Estrada said.
Reaffirming the country’s sovereign rights over its territorial waters, Estrada emphasized that persistent hostility from foreign forces will not erode the Philippines’ resolve to defend its maritime territory.
“Paulit-ulit man ang panggigipit ng China laban sa atin, patuloy tayong maninindigan sa katotohanan na atin ang West Philippine Sea, at hindi tayo matitinag sa pakikibaka para dito,” Estrada stated.
To address the recurring provocations, the senator urged the executive branch to utilize official diplomatic channels to register formal opposition against Beijing’s actions.
“I urge our government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, to lodge diplomatic protests against China’s repeated illegal and aggressive acts. Such conduct has no place in a civilized world,” Estrada added.