DAVAO CITY – Militant partylist Bayan Muna picketed today the Chinese consulate in protest against China’s activities in the Panganiban Reef, or Mischief Reef.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said China should go to the international tribunal if it has evidence to back its claim. The Mischief Reef is part of the EEZ of the Philippines and a disputed area of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
“As it is China’s expansionist policy based on its 9-dash line theory is without legal, historical and moral basis. Every Filipino should defend our territory and exclusive economic zones and Pres. Aquino should fortify our positions in the area to counter China’s aggressive acts,” said Colmenares.
Meanwhile, Rep. Carlos Zarate reacted to US President Barrack Obama’s previous statement on China’s territorial squabble with other countries in the South China Sea.
Obama warned China not to “elbow aside” Philippines or Vietnam as China’s efforts for expansion threatens the stability of the region.
Zarate said Obama’s statement “is a calculated response, but the US would not risk a war with China because its economy would collapse without China. The US owes China at least US$ 1.28 trillion and has a total of US$579 billion in trade with China, compared to only US$17.6 Billion with the Philippines,”
“It is best that we build our strength and rely on our own resolve with the help of the international community to defend our sovereignty rather than enter into lopsided deals like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA),” Zarate said.
