'Filipinos will not cower to China,' Hontiveros says on Independence Day

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday said Filipinos will not cower to China amid what she said were Beijing's continued incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

In an online rally she led on Independence Day, Hontiveros reiterated her earlier demand for China to pay the Philippines at least P200 billion as reparations for alleged damages in the West Philippine Sea.

"'China is our friend' daw. 'We should not hurt China’s feelings' daw. Well, real friends do not occupy each other’s islands," the opposition senator said at the livestreamed protest.

"Real friends do not violate each other’s sovereignty. Filipinos will not cower to China. Filipinos will not back down," she said.

Hontiveros said Filipinos will continue to uphold the country's victory against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.

At the same time, the official condemned the government's alleged prioritization of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) over Filipino workers, including returning migrant workers, public utility vehicle drivers, and online sellers.

"Ang mga Pilipino naman ngayon ay naniningil sa kanilang gobyerno - unahin ang Pilipino," she said.

"Filipinos deserve better programs in the time of COVID-19.  Hindi puwedeng sa panahon ng pandemiya ay naiiwan ang mga kababayan nating manggagawa, mga OFW, mga mahihirap, at mga frontliners," she added.

The senator likewise called out "double standards" in the implementation of the law, claiming that poor Filipinos are immediately detained while those allied with people in power are absolved. 

She also urged Filipinos to oppose the controversial anti-terrorism bill, which is being reviewed by Malacanang officials before being submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte.—AOL, GMA News