Administration bets echo call for China to back off from Pag-asa Island

Two senators running under the administration slate supported the position of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who told China to back off from Pag-asa Island.

Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Sonny Angara said the Philippine territory should be defended from foreign intruders.

Lorenzana earlier said he has communicated with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua that the 275 Chinese vessels spotted in the Pag-asa, which is part of the Palawan province, should leave the area.

“I fully support the call of Secretary Lorenzana. Pag-asa Island is a Philippine territory, on top of being located within EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” Pimentel, a lawyer, told GMA News Online in a text message.

“Hence, no foreigner can intrude therein without permission from the Philippine government,” Pimentel added.

Angara, for his part, said that the country's allies, including China, should not encroach on the Philippine boundaries.

“We fully support Secretary Lorenzana's call because Pag-asa island is part of Philippine territory. If China is a true ally, they will respect these territorial boundaries,” Angara, also a lawyer, added.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced on April 1 that the presence of the 275 Chinese vessels has prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs to file a diplomatic protest against China.

Panelo, however, could not say when the protest was filed.

At the same time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command has also said that the Chinese manning the 275 vessels in Pag-asa Island were part of Chinese maritime militia.

China has denied deploying Chinese militia in Pag-asa Island. —LDF, GMA News