Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima criticized Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano for urging Philippine Coast Guard West Philippine Sea spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela to apologize to China.
“Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano should know better than to talk down and tell Commodore Jay Tarriela to apologize to China. It is not as if the PCG Spox did anything wrong other than do his job of defending the country from Chinese propaganda,” de Lima said.
The lawmaker warned that some senators are being labeled “Tsina-tors” for appearing to defend China rather than supporting Filipino officials defending national sovereignty.
“Bilang mga Pilipino, lalo na bilang mga naglilingkod sa gobyerno, dapat mga kapwa Pilipino at Pilipinas ang inuuna, hindi feelings ng China,” she added.
De Lima also voiced support for the local officials of Kalayaan, Palawan, in their stance against China.
“Isang karangalan na manindigan sa kung ano ang atin, at itaguyod ang ating pambansang dangal… Dapat ipagtanggol natin ang ating soberanya at teritoryo, hindi yung dinedepensahan pa ang umaagaw ng kung ano ang atin,” she said.
She further backed the Senate’s resolution condemning statements by the Chinese Embassy in Manila against Filipino lawmakers and officials.
“Kaya muli nating hinihikayat ang mga kasamahan natin sa Kamara na suportahan din ang inihain nating House Resolution No. 680 kasama ang LP bloc at Akbayan Partylist, para magkaroon ng mas malakas at matapang na tugon at paninindigan ang ating gobyerno laban sa mga kasinungalingan, pambubully at karahasan ng China sa ating mga kababayan sa West Philippine Sea,” de Lima added.