Senator Francis Pangilinan on Saturday accused President Duterte of prioritizing China’s interests over the plight of Filipino fishermen in insisting that invoking the country’s rights over the West Philippines Sea could start a war.Pangilinan raised this suspicion as Duterte kept a firm stand on the issue on the West Philippines Sea.
“Hindi kaya na ang dahilan na baka mauwi sa giyera kapag ipinaglaban natin ang ating mangigisda ay upang ilihis nila ang pagiging sunud-sunuran at pagtakpan ang katotohanan na mas matimbang para sa kanila ang interes ng China kaysa sa interes ng ating maliliit na mangingisda?” he added. Pangilinan earlier criticized the Chief Executive for allowing Chinese fishermen to fish in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as he maintained his friendship with China.
On Friday, July 5, Duterte said he hoped China will not “overdo things” as the United States has also been egging the Philippines on the territorial issue.