Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon (File photo)
MANILA – A resolution condemning the harassment of Filipinos by Chinese forces in the West Philippine Sea has been filed at the House of Representatives.
Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon filed on April 12 House Resolution (HR) No. 1707, which also urges the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to once again file a diplomatic protest in this respect as well as consider issuing a summons to the Chinese representative to the Philippines to explain the continuing harassment of Filipinos by armed Chinese Navy vessels in the West Philippine Sea whose waters Filipinos have the right to ply.
The same resolution likewise called on the Department of National Defense to pursue the conduct of maritime patrols in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and assert and protect Philippine rights in those waters.
Biazon filed the resolution in light of a recent incident where Filipinos onboard a civilian vessel were denied passage to, and aggressively chased off Ayungin Shoal by a China Coast Guard ship with bow number 5101.
“[T]his august chamber composed of members who are direct representatives of the people, is the most appropriate body to express the sentiments of our countrymen and protest the continuing violation of the rights of the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people under international law by the People’s Republic of China,” Biazon said in his resolution.
He said that after an hour trailing the Philippine civilian vessel headed toward mainland Palawan, the China Coast Guard (CCG) ship turned back but was replaced by two smaller vessels that appeared to be Houbei Type 22 missile attack fast craft of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
“[T]his action by the CCG and PLAN and is devoid of any legal basis and deserves the appropriate legal action through diplomatic channels,” he said.
Biazon noted that Global Positioning System (GPS) readings indicated that the Philippine civilian vessel was about 90 nautical miles from mainland Palawan as the two missile attack fast crafts were giving chase.
“The use of grey hulls in denying Filipinos’ passage in the West Philippine Sea within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is conduct that deserves condemnation by the Filipinos,” he said.
Last Friday, the Department of National Defense (DND) said it has directed the military to investigate the harassment incident. (PNA)
