By Billy Begas
The Makabayan bloc on Thursday filed a resolution seeking congressional probe on the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.
Member of the bloc— Bayan Muna Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, Eufemia Cullamat, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Jane Elago urged the House Committee on National Defense and Security to conduct the investigation.
On March 7, more than 200 Chinese vessels were spotted at Julian Felipe Reef. The Philippine government has expressed concern on the matter due to the possible overfishing and destruction of the marine environment.
On March 22, 2021, the Chinese Embassy claimed that the Chinese vessels only took shelter in the area due to rough sea conditions. It also denied the involvement of Chinese Maritime Militias.
The Makabayan bloc expressed fear that the Chinese may be planning to use Julian Felipe Reef as another military base like what it did to Mischief Reef, Johnson South, Cuarteron, Fiery Cross, Subi Reef, McKennan Reef and Gaven Reef.
“Despite the historical victory of the Philippines over its claims in the South China Sea following the ruling of the UN’s International Tribunal on the Laws of the Sea dated July 12, 2016, the Duterte administration took a passive stance over the matter unlike other countries with claims in the South China Sea,” the resolution read.
The resolution also said that the failure of the Duterte administration to protect the country’s territorial integrity resulted to the loss of livelihood of many Filipino fisherfolk.
Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
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