China encroachment in West PHL Sea ‘most serious external threat’ since WWII — Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo believes that China's intrusion in the West Philippine Sea is the "most serious external threat" to the country since World War II.

"If China successfully solidifies its presence within its nine-dash line, the Philippines will lose effective control over its exclusive economic zone, which is larger than the land area of our country," Robredo stressed at a forum in Quezon City on Monday.

"This is why China’s encroachment on Philippine territories is the most serious external threat to our country since the Second World War," Robredo added.

The nine-dash line is a demarcation on China maps of what the country believes to be its territory, and encompasses almost the entirety of the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Robredo said the Philippines is not just losing "a group of atolls and reefs."

"What is being stolen is our comfort in knowing that we can sleep soundly at night, certain that we are secure from external threats and weapons of war. What is being stolen are our resources, electricity, food, and jobs for our people," Robredo said.

"The issues we face when it comes to the West Philippine Sea are not only about our fishermen; it is about every living Filipino and the generations to come. It is about our nation’s independence, security, and sovereignty," she added.

The Vice President also expressed concern over reports of the Chinese Coast Guard taking Filiipno fishermen's catch in Scarborough Shoal.

Robredo urged Filipinos to remain vigilant to ensure that the Philippines will continue to assert its rights in the contested region despite the supposed assistance the country obtains from the Asian superpower.

"Today, more than at any other time, the Filipino people must all be keenly aware of our foreign policy. Apart from the opportunities mentioned above, we must also keep a close eye on making a differentiation between the importance of promised economic benefits by China vis-a-vis our national security," she said. — BM, GMA News