HOUSE deputy majority leader Erwin Tulfo on Monday assailed the unauthorized presence of Chinese vessels, this time on the eastern seaboard of the Philippines, not in the West Philippine Sea.
This developed as Tulfo and his colleague from the ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Edvic Yap; Benguet Rep. Eric Yap ,and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, filed a resolution “urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to station appropriate personnel and conduct enhanced routine patrols and maritime surveillance in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines.”
“It seems that the ships of China can freely move around in our territory. You would think that it is here on the eastern side of the our country is now China’s target like Benham Rise and Catanduanes area,” Tulfo said in his privilege speech on Monday.
“Ito po ay hudyat na naghahanda na rin silang sakupin ang silangang bahagi ng Pilipinas tulad ng pananakop nila ng buong West Philippine Sea. We have to act now to prevent another Chinese aggression on our territory (This is a sign that they are also preparing to occupy the eastern part of Philippines as they conquered the entire West Philippine Sea. We have to act now to prevent another Chinese aggression on our territory), ” Tulfo added.
In their resolution, the lawmakers cited military report saying a Chinese-flagged research vessel named Shen Kuo was first spotted last April 25 about 60.9 nautical miles east of Rapu-Rapu island in Albay.
On April 30, the vessel was spotted deploying unidentified equipment about 100 miles east of Catanduanes.
“The foregoing acts raise suspicion and concern about the intentions and unknown activities of the said vessel within the eastern portion of the Philippine waters, yet the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) unsuccessful attempts to contact the vessel through regular radio channels indicate the vessel’s lack of responsiveness or willingness to engage with the proper authorities,” the resolution stated.
Tulfo said they filed the resolution to drive away or apprehend any Chinese vessel loitering in that area without proper clearance or coordination with the Philippine authorities.
“If we continue to allow Chinese vessels in that part of our country, we might send the wrong signal to China that we really cannot protect our territory,” Tulfo stressed.
“We must act now before the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese militia take over our Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Ocean,” the lawmaker added.