Gordon wants Phl to set up ‘deterrent force’ at WPS
Gordon wants PHL to set up 'deterrent force' in Scarborough
China belittles Filipinos' fishing rights in the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal because we don't have a sort of "deterrent force" in the area to assert our claims, a senator said yesterday.
Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Richard Gordon said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, “Kinakaya tayo ng China, tinatakot ng Chinese Coast Guard ang mga mangingisda natin, hinaharang, nai-intimidate tayo dahil wala tayong kakayahan.”
He suggested that the Philippine government should beef up its military capability in the area so that China would not look down on us as a pushover.
He cited Vietnam's row with China in the disputed seas, as well as India's border spat with Beijing as examples of showing mighty China a level of assertiveness to reckon with.
“Dapat may panabla man lang tayo. Ipakita natin na kaya rin natin manindigan,” he pointed out.
But Gordon clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte or the Department of Foreign Affairs were not remiss in their duty to assert our right in the shoal.
“Hindi naman isinusuko ng Pangulo ang ating claim. Nakikipag-usap tayo. Pero dapat respetuhin din ng China ang Pangulo.”
Gordon was referring to reported incidents that Chinese coastguard men harassed Filipino fishermen by taking the best of their fish catch.
Beijing's response was that it is investigating Chinese "harassment" of Filipino fishermen in the shoal, and said the incident could be just a barter arrangement, in exchange for some goods.
But Gordon said "palusot na lang 'yun (a lame excuse)."
The senator also stressed the need to firm up a code of conduct among claimant countries in the South China Sea.
"Ang Panatag Soal ay dapat traditional fishing ground yan. Ang mga Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipinos ay nangingisda sa lugar. Dapat mag-usap-usap."
Giant China should prove to small countries that it is a reliable ally.
Also, Gordon lashed out at "grandstanding" of some government officials on the issue.