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HINDI lang paghamak sa soberanya ng bansa ang panibagong water cannon attack ng Chinese Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea (WPS), ayon kay Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante.
Sa isang kalatas, kinondena ni Abante ang aniya’y hayagang paglabag sa ‘basic human dignity’ ng mga biktimang mangingisdang Pilipino.
“The use of high-pressure water cannons against unarmed civilian fishermen—who were lawfully fishing within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone—crosses a dangerous line and emphasizes the growing risks faced by ordinary Filipinos trying to earn an honest living at sea,” wika ng kongresistang chairman ng human rights committee sa Kamara.
“These were not military vessels. They are fishermen—civilians—whose only so-called ‘crime’ was exercising their legitimate right to fish in our own waters,” dugtong ng Manila lawmaker.
Giit ni Abante, ang nasabing insidente ay hindi na maituturing na bahagi ng maritime dispute, bagkus ito’y isang human rights concern, dahil sa pamantayan ng international humanitarian and human rights, ang lahat ng sibilyan ay dapat pinoprotektahan mula sa karahasan, panggigipit at malupit na pagtrato.
“When state-backed forces deliberately target civilians with dangerous methods, that is no longer just a diplomatic issue—it is a human rights issue,” ayon pa sa mambabatas.
“No fisherman should have to choose between feeding his family and risking injury in the waters of his own country!”
Bunsod nito, inihayag ni Abante na masusing tututukan ng kanyang komite ang pangyayari at tutulong para pormal na mai-dokument ang mga pang-aabuso ng Chinese militia sa mga Filipino civilians sa West Philippine Sea.
Nanawagan din ang ranking House official sa international community na bigyang-pansin ang insidente para wakasan ang panggigipit sa mga sibilyan, pagkakaroon ng banta sa seguridad at katatagan ng rehiyon at kawalang respeto sa international law.
“The deafening silence of the international community only emboldens abuse. The world must not close their eyes when, in broad daylight, ordinary Filipinos are harmed simply for asserting their lawful rights.” (ROMER R. BUTUYAN)
