Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chairperson of the Senate National Defense Committee, criticized the series of reported harassments by China, further escalating tensions, particularly in the disputed waters of Ayungin Shoal. He pointed out the need to protect the country’s sovereign rights in an interview on Saturday, September 9, during his personal distribution of assistance to fire victims in Quezon City.
“Tuwing mayroon tayong nababalitaan na hinaharas sila ay dapat po ipaglaban natin ito. call the attention of their counterparts sa bansang China at ipaglaban po natin kung ano po ang atin,” the senator emphasized. During the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Marcos strongly criticized the use of coast guard and militia ships in the South China Sea while affirming the Philippines’ maritime rights.