Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reiterated the government’s mandate to protect and uphold the country’s territorial integrity amid the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
During an ambush interview after personally aiding struggling residents in Mati City, Davao Oriental on Saturday, March 11, the senator emphasized the need to fight for what rightfully belongs to the Philippines and its people.
“Tulad ng naumpisahan po ni (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, mandato po ng Estado na protektahan, isulong, at ipaglaban po kung ano ‘yung atin,” said Go.
“What is ours is ours. Atin po ‘yon,” he stressed.
Go also reiterated the foreign policy of former president Duterte, which emphasized being a “friend to all and enemy to none” while defending the interest of the country.
“Ayaw niyang makipag-away pero importante po’y ipaglaban po natin ang interes ng bansa at ipaglaban po natin kung ano po ‘yung atin,” he added.
In February, the Philippine Coast Guard reported an incident in which a Chinese security vessel allegedly used a military-grade laser against a Philippine patrol boat in the disputed waters.
Following the incident, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian to express his concern regarding China’s actions.
The PCG has also recently reported that a number of suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels remain near some of the disputed features in the West Philippine Sea. PCG noted on March 9 that the number of the foreign-flagged vessels has decreased but a warship of the People’s Liberation Army of China is still in the area.
In December last year, Go also issued a call to action to ensure that the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea are safeguarded and further developed in a short manifestation speech in the Senate.