Lawmakers condemn Chinese intrusion in Benham Rise

Lawmakers condemn Chinese intrusion in Benham Rise

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers on Sunday strongly condemned what they call “Chinese intrusion” into the waters of the Philippine (Benham) Rise east of Luzon, pointing out that the government needs to “enforce” the country’s rights within the area and focus on the matter.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda and House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro issued their respective statements after reports said that two Chinese research vessels — Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao and Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao — were spotted “loitering” within the area last March 1, as revealed by an American maritime expert.

READ: 2 Chinese research vessels ‘loitering’ at Philippine Rise

“The West Philippine Sea might be a condominium among our neighbors. But China has absolutely no place in the Benham Rise. That’s exclusively ours. They’re intruders — pure and simple,” Salceda said.

“Secretary Teodoro is taking the correct approach of boosting our technological capabilities in both aerial and maritime patrolling and defense. Moving forward, what we must do is not merely patrol but enforce our rights in the area,” he added.

Salceda further revealed that he has already coordinated with fellow lawmaker Iloilo 5th District Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas, who chairs the House Committee of National Defense, “to finance and acquire advanced weapons and military hardware.”

“The House has already passed its version, and we are merely waiting for a bicam with the Senate,” he said.

For her part, Castro said the maritime incident poses a threat to the country’s national sovereignty and maritime rights, as she called on the government to address the matter instead of focusing on amending the Constitution.

“The Marcos government should concentrate more on these incursions and stop wasting time on charter change that could even make strategic parts of our resources owned by China or

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