Gordon slams China: You are not a friend

Senator Richard Gordon on Saturday lashed out at China amid the presence of Chinese vessels in waters off Pag-asa Island.

In a statement, Gordon said Beijing's actions do not demonstrate the "actions of a friend."

"Sabi ng China kaibigan natin sila, pero a friend does not send hundreds of army, hundreds of navy, does not send hundreds of vessels to harass our fishermen in our territory," the senator said.

About 275 Chinese vessels were spotted near and around Pag-asa, which China calls Zhongye, from January to March this year, according to the Philippine military.

China said the vessels are civilian ships, mostly fishing boats.

“If we do not have a strong Navy, if we do not have a strong Army, we will be pushed around by other countries. Dapat malakas ang Armed Forces natin para igalang tayo ng China," Gordon said.

"I'm glad that [Foreign Affairs] Sec. Teodoro Locsin already filed a diplomatic protest,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said a diplomatic protest against China’s massive presence in Pag-asa was filed last March 29. — Ted Cordero/MDM, GMA News