Hontiveros to Chinese vessels swarming in WPS: ‘Appalling but not surprising’

The swarming of the Chinese maritime militia vessels within the waters off  Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea is "appalling but not surprising," said Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday. 

Hontiveros reiterated her strong disappointment in China's illegal activities within the Philippine waters. 

"This is appalling, but again, not surprising. We have seen this before. In 2021, over 200 ships were moored near Julian Felipe Reef, urging our government to file a diplomatic protest. In 2022, they returned again. Ngayon, umulit na naman (This time, they're doing it again)," she said. 

Hontiveros warned that China's daily plan to occupy the Philippine territory "is the one causing trouble."

"No matter how many times our government and the international community condemn China's illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, Beijing simply does not listen," she lamented. 

Hontoveros said the government "should be doing more than fire off a diplomatic protest."

She said there's a need "to execute actionable on-the-ground steps" to prevent China from any reclamation and base-building activities in Julian Felipe Reef.  

"Tiwala ako na gagawin na ito ng (I trust it will be done by the) National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea," she added. 

Hontiveros said the Philippine Coast Guard must also be applauded for upholding their duty to patrol our seas despite China's overwhelming presence. 

"Dapat maparami narin natin ang hanay nila para tuluyan nang maitaboy ang Tsina (We must multiply their ranks so that China can be completely driven away)," she added. 

The Philippine government raised alarm after it monitored 131 Chinese fishing boats swarming anew in the Julian Felipe Reef. 

In a media interview on Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin insisted that the Chinese vessels' presence in the reef is "justified and lawful."

Wengbin accused the Philippines of making "irresponsible remarks" over its claim in the WPS. 

"Relevant waters of the South China Sea, including Niu'e Jiao and its adjacent waters, have always been important operating areas and shelters for Chinese fishing boats. It is justified and lawful for Chinese fishing boats to operate or shelter from wind in the area, and the Philippines is in no position to make irresponsible remarks," Wengbin said. 

China has vast claims over the entire SCS, overlapping the Philippine exclusive economic zone in the WPS.