Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has remained steadfast in his stance to uphold the rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea amid accusations by the Chinese government that the country is trespassing into the waters adjacent to Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
As vice chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Go emphasized the country's right to patrol these waters without a need for Chinese approval, considering that Bajo de Masinloc falls within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. Nevertheless, China asserts its "indisputable sovereignty" over the shoal and the surrounding waters.
"What is ours is ours. We must remain consistent on our foreign policy of being friends to all, enemy to none. But we must also stand firm on protecting our sovereignty," Go said.
"Kung ano ang atin ay atin. Dapat lang na ipaglaban natin ang ating karapatan sa teritoryong ito," he added.
The senator likewise echoed National Security Adviser Eduardo Año's sentiments that China was "overhyping" the incident and provoking tensions given the situation.
"It did not illegally enter any space under Chinese sovereignty because Bajo de Masinloc is part of the PH archipelago and EEZ," Año said in a recent statement.
"China is again overhyping this incident and creating unnecessary tensions between our two nations," NSA Año added.
Go's stance is in line with international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which recognizes the EEZs of coastal states. Under UNCLOS, the Philippines has the legal right to patrol and conduct maritime activities in its EEZ without requiring approval from foreign governments.
In addition to asserting the country's sovereignty, Go also stressed the need for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to conflicts in the South China Sea. He highlighted the importance of open lines of communication and the avoidance of unnecessary escalations to maintain regional stability.
"Ako po ay nananawagan na sana po ay maresolba ito sa mapayapang paraan at hindi po umabot sa karahasan. Maliit lang po tayo na bansa… Kahit maliit po tayo, kilala po ang Pilipino na lumalaban at ipinaglalaban po kung ano po ang atin. Ako po ay handang ipaglaban ito. Ito po ay karapatan natin," he added.
Meanwhile, Go continues to push for Senate Bill No. 2112 which is aimed at modernizing the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and enhancing its capabilities to better protect the Philippines' maritime resources.
The proposed bill aims to improve the capacity of the agency as it seeks to provide the PCG with the necessary assets and resources to more effectively perform its duties and responsibilities.
The proposed measure seeks to upgrade the agency's vessels, aircraft, and equipment to meet international standards and improve its response time during maritime incidents and emergencies.
"As we all know, the Philippine Coast Guard plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of our maritime nation. They are our first line of defense against threats such as smuggling and terrorism, and they also provide vital assistance during natural disasters and other emergencies," cited Go.
"However, our coast guard is facing several challenges that hinder their ability to effectively carry out their duties. These challenges include outdated equipment, inadequate training, and insufficient funding. That is why I am proposing a bill that aims to address these issues and modernize our coast guard," he explained.
