Gov t urged to ‘walk the talk’ on China vessel presence in West Philippine Sea By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News
Published April 19, 2021 4:56pm An alumni organization of the University of the Philippines Reserve Officers Training Corps called on the government to “walk the talk” on the presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Monday, the UP Vanguard said the Philippines should not only make statements in defense of its sovereign rights but should also hold China accountable. “We, therefore, call on the government to continue its resolve and walk the talk. We cannot just make noise,” the UP Vanguard said.
Published April 19, 2021, 3:42 PM
Advocate group: Speak as one country vs. ‘incursion’
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) is looking into reports that China has begun deep-sea drilling in the South China Sea to obtain sedimentary rocks from the seabed.
West Philippine Sea (PNA file photo)
This developed as calls for the Duterte administration to stand up against China’s repeated intrusion have been growing.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., chairman of the NTF-WPS, said they have yet to receive a report about China’s drilling activities which is reportedly being done within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) – President Rodrigo Duterte admitted violence may erupt if the Philippines continues to assert its rights in areas being claimed by China in the West Philippine Sea, despite being well within the country s exclusive economic zone. We can retake it only by force. There is no way we can get back yung tinatawag nilang [what they call as] (West) Philippine sea without any bloodshed, Duterte said in his national address on Monday night.
Dutete said the Philippines cannot possibly win against China if a bloody war ensues while affirming our jurisdiction over the disputed waters.
Published April 20, 2021 12:05am
Updated April 20, 2021 12:29am Breaking his silence on the recent tension in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said nothing will happen even if he sails to the disputed waters, which China claims are theirs. “Maski na ilang balik natin dun wala mangyayari because we are not in the possession of the sea. . . .Even if you go there and claim it, walang mangyayari, kanila talaga eh, sa isip nila kanila,” Duterte said in his televised Cabinet briefing Monday. The President said claiming possession of the area by the Philippines would be “bloody.” The issue of West Philippine Sea remains a question forever until such time that we can take it back. Ang akin dyan is, walang iba, gera lang, he said.
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