Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday denounced reports that China is using the ongoing Middle East crisis to expand its presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), calling such actions “unacceptable and deeply concerning.”
Estrada stressed the WPS contains significant untapped oil and natural gas resources, warning that attempts to exploit the situation undermine Philippine sovereignty and threaten regional security.
“Any attempt to exploit the situation—at a time when global attention is focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—not only undermines our sovereignty, but also threatens regional security and the rules-based international order,” he said.
While emphasizing that protecting Filipinos affected by the Middle East conflict and ensuring stable fuel supply remain priorities, Estrada urged vigilance against China’s “provocative actions.”
He called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a diplomatic protest and urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to intensify patrols and expose violations.
“Hindi lamang ito usapin ng soberanya – ito ay usapin din ng seguridad sa enerhiya at kinabukasan ng bawat Filipino,” Estrada emphasized.
The senator also highlighted the Philippines’ legal victory in the arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Kaya malinaw: atin ang West Philippine Sea, atin ang mga yaman at resources na nakapaloob dito, at hindi tayo dapat natitinag sa pakikipaglaban dito,” he added.