MANILA, Philippines — Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito emphasized on Saturday that the Philippines must persist in using diplomatic channels to handle recurring disputes with Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
His statement followed claims by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship deliberately rammed a local government vessel roughly 100 kilometers off the coast of Palawan.
The incident occurred late Friday morning when CCG vessel 21585 struck the starboard side of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Magat Salamat during a fuel-distribution mission to support local fishermen.
“We have to exhaust all diplomatic means. Nakailang diplomatic protest na tayo sa Tsina. Dapat patuloy pa rin tayong nagpoprotesta, put it on record,” Ejercito said during a radio broadcast.
“Sa international forum, kung kinakailangan nating dalhin yung ating predicament sa ginagawang pambu-bully ng China, atin pong gawin. Dahil in terms of monetary… hindi naman natin kakayanin ang Tsina kahit ilang bilyon na yung lagay natin, hindi natin kakayanin dahil superpower ang China,” he added.
Highlighting the disparity in resources, Ejercito pointed out that the event reinforces the urgent necessity to increase funding for maritime security forces so they can establish a credible presence in territorial waters.
“Kailangan siguro, kung hindi man ma-resolve, ay madagdagan yung budget ng Coast Guard para naman kahit papaano meron tayong karespe-respetadong Coast Guard at Philippine Navy,” he noted.
“Hindi naman natin gustong maging aggressive. Hindi naman natin layon pantayan ang pwersa ng Tsina. Superpower sila, third world lang tayo. Pero we need to put up a minimum defense posture na kahit papaano, karespe-respeto,” Ejercito emphasized.