Trillanes to file reso seeking Senate probe on China’s missile installation in West PHL Sea

Senator Antonio Trillanes said Monday he will be filing a resolution seeking an investigation on the reported installation of missile systems by China in the Philippine-claimed territories in the West Philippine Sea.

“Yes (I will file). Ginagawa pa ‘yung resolution pero this is in relation to the reported missile installation and overall militarization by China of the West Philippine Sea,” Trillanes said in a text message to GMA News Online when asked on the matter.

Senator Francis Escudero, for his part, said he will “not oppose the filing of one by any senator.”

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Francis Pangilinan separately expressed support for the investigation.

“No (I will not be filing) but I am told a resolution  asking for an investigation will be filed, and I will support a Senate probe on this issue,” said Drilon.

Pangilinan said the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines top brass should all be present during the hearing.

On Sunday, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the Senate should probe the matter.

“[The] Senate foreign relations committee should first find out what really is happening,” Pimentel said in a statement.

He said the committee should also hold a closed-door briefing with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to determine what it indents to do with China's latest movement in the highly contested South China Sea.

China reportedly installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reef, Subi (Zamora) Reef and Mischief (Panganiban) Reef in the Spratly Islands which are also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

‘Demoralized’

Trillanes said he received information that members of the military are demoralized because of the administration’s supposed sell out attitude.

“Base sa ating impormasyon, talagang demoralized ang sandatahang lakas dito sa pagse-sell out ni Duterte sa ating mga teritoryo,” he told reporters.

He claimed that Navy ships are now restrained in the conduct of their patrol in order not to offend China.

“‘Yung mga Navy ships natin ngayon ay restrained ... nire-restrain sila mismo nitong administrasyon na ito. Hindi na nila nagagawa ‘yung mga nagagawa namin noon when I was still in the Navy. Nagpa-patrolya kami diyan sa exclusive economic zone, ngayon hindi na sila makagalaw dahil hindi sila pinapayagan nitong Duterte administration,” he said.

“So, restricted na tayo dito sa ating sariling mga teritoryo dahil ayaw ni Duterte na ma-offend yung kanyang mga kaibigan sa Chinese government,” he added.

On the administration’s statement that it needed equipment to verify the presence of missiles, the senator said that is the purpose of intelligence sharing.

“Kaya nga may intelligence sharing eh. Kung ganyan ang sagot si (National Security Adviser) Secretary (Hermogenes) Esperon, eh maghanap na siya ng ibang trabaho kasi kulang siya sa initiative. Puwede siyang magtanong sa mga allied countries natin,” he said.

He said the administration is just doing it to divert the attention of the public.

“In-admit na nga mismo ng China. Ngayon itong mga ginagawa nila ay cop out na to delay para malinlang tayo habang hindi nila alam kung ano ang gagawin. Which is alarming dahil dapat sila yung taga-protect ng interes ng ating bayan,” he said.

Asked if the hearing will be closed door, Trillanes said it will depend on the information that will be given by the resource persons.

“Depende yun. Hindi lahat ng information na ida-divulge nila may national security implications. Meron ding mga pwedeng malaman ng publiko,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros called as “a grave insult to the bravery and sacrifices of Filipino soldiers who are guarding the country’s territories” the administration’s "sheepish response" to China’s installation of missiles.

She added the administration is abdicating on its duty to protect the safety of Filipinos, particularly the fisherfolk.

She said that despite the lack of resources and infrastructure, the troops stationed and assigned in the West Philippine Sea have bravely maintained presence in the region and ensured the integrity of the Philippine territory.

“It is thus a grave insult to our soldiers and a mockery of their sacrifices that the Duterte government has chosen to continue to be subservient to Chinese interests in the face of the country's biggest security threat,” she said.

“Where is now the bravado of the so-called strongman? Binantaan at tinutukan na ng missiles ang ating mga sundalo sa West Philippine Sea, pro-China pa rin ang paninindigan ng kanilang commander-in-chief? Anong klaseng pamumuno yan? Isa itong malaking insulto sa katapangan at sakripisyo ng ating mga tropa na halos ibuwis ang lahat para lamang ipaglaban ang ating pambansang soberanya,” she added.

The senator said the government must court and mobilize international public opinion to the Philippine side by filing a strong diplomatic protest faithful to the ruling of the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal.

She added the government must develop a coherent, consistent and progressive foreign policy.

“The Kuwait crisis and the threat of Chinese missiles demand that we employ real foreign affairs experts who can craft and implement a foreign policy that is resolute but adaptable, strategic and pragmatic, amiable yet patriotic, especially in handling our territorial disputes,” she said.

Hontiveros further said it is paramount that the administration upgrade its defenses with strategic naval vessels and equipment to better secure the country's sovereignty and territories. — RSJ, GMA News