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Ni Romeo Allan Butuyan II
PARA kay House Speaker Martin Romualdez, isang garapalang pag-atake sa soberanya, paghamon sa karapatan ng bansa at hayagang paglabag sa umiiral na pandaigdigang batas ang panibagong pag-atake ng China sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Partikular na tinukoy ni Romualdez ang panibagong insidente kung saan tatlong sasakyang-dagat ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ang nakaranas ng water cannon attack sa karagatang pasok sa 200-natutical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas
Kasabay nito ay nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya si Speaker Romualdez sa ginawang pagtutol ng China sa resolusyong pinagtibay ng Kamara de Representantes na tumutuligsa sa iligal na aksyon nito sa WPS.
Iginiit ni Speaker Romualdez na ang pag-atake sa mga bangka ng BFAR na Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, at Datu Tamblot na nasa isang humanitarian mission ay ikinokonsiderang paglabag sa international norms at direktang humahamon sa soberanya at karapatan ng Pilipinas.
“The use of water cannons and long-range acoustic devices against our vessels, causing significant damage and distress to our crew, is unacceptable and unjustifiable,” ani Speaker Romualdez.
“These actions by the [CCG], in preventing our vessels from conducting a peaceful resupply mission to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), demonstrate a brazen disrespect for the rule of law and established international agreements,” dagdag pa nito.
Ipinaalala rin ni Speaker Romualdez sa international community na ang Bajo de Masinloc at nasa loob ng 370 kilometrong exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas na pinagtibay ng 2016 arbitral ruling, na hindi pinapansin ng China.
“The acts of intimidation and harassment against Filipino fisherfolk, who depend on these waters for their livelihood, are not only a violation of their rights but also an affront to human dignity. To prevent the distribution of humanitarian support, as was the case in this incident, is not only illegal but also inhumane,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez.
Iginiit ng lider ng Kamara na dapat tigilan na ng China ang mga iligal na aktibidad na ginagawa nito.
“We will not be intimidated nor will we stand down in the face of these unwarranted and illegal actions,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez, lider ng Kamara na may mahigit 300 miyembro.
Nanawagan din si Speaker Romualdez sa China na irespeto ang soberanya ng Pilipinas at itigil ang kanilang mararahas na aksyon at mahinanong resolbahin ang isyu.
“The Philippines, as a sovereign nation, will continue to defend its rights and protect the interests of its people. We stand in solidarity with our fishermen and reiterate our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our national territory and maritime entitlements,” wika pa ni Speaker Romualdez.
“Let this incident be a reminder to the international community of the urgent need to uphold and respect international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to support nations in defending their sovereign rights,” dagdag pa nito.
