Senator JV Ejercito has issued a strong statement condemning China’s repeated and unauthorized entry into the Philippines’ territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea. He described these actions as dangerous and reckless, particularly highlighting incidents where Chinese maritime forces rammed and towed Philippine vessels.
Ejercito emphasized that such aggressive actions not only destabilize the region but also jeopardize the safety of Filipino citizens and infringe upon the nation’s sovereign rights. He accused China of acting like a bully, blatantly ignoring international maritime laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and showing no regard for the Philippines’ victory in the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The senator criticized China’s approach to international relations in the region, stating that instead of engaging in fair and lawful conduct, it resorts to aggressive tactics that escalate tensions and pose a direct threat to regional stability and international maritime norms.
Calling for accountability, Ejercito urged the Philippine government to use all available means to protect its people and territory. He stressed the urgency of speeding up military modernization to strengthen the country’s defense posture against such threats.
“The Philippines will not be intimidated,” Ejercito declared. “The West Philippine Sea is rightfully ours, and we will continue to defend it with all our might.”