Isko on Ayungin Shoal incident: Do it under my watch, you’ll see Widodo

Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday warned against future aggression against Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying he will be forced to follow Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s approach in fighting for the state’s sovereign rights over the disputed waters.

In an ambush interview in Laguna, Moreno reiterated to continue asserting the Philippines’ rights over the disputed waters.

“We will be fair in dealing with it, but we will be loyal to the country, to Filipinos, especially to the fisherfolk. We will fish in that area undeterred, undisturbed, unharmed,” he said.

Moreno said the Filipinos must enjoy the resources in the WPS as it is part of the country's geography and sovereignty.

“The same rule when we recognize their geography, same rule is applicable. So I hope, I can only hope, sana hindi ‘yan gawin sa panahon ko baka makita niyo si (they won't do it during my term because they will see) Widodo,” the mayor said.

Despite China’s rejection of The Hague ruling, Moreno said his government, if he wins, will “continue to recognize” the decision.

“Kung sa Maynila nga pinalayas ko e, bigyan mo ko tiyansa maging presidente kung ‘di makita si Widodo,” he said.

(I even pushed them out of Manila. Give me a chance to be a president so you can see Widodo.)

He did not elaborate what he means when he mentioned Widodo, but the Indonesian president has been visiting the parts of South China Sea which are being disputed by Indonesia and China.

“Now, makikipaggiyera ba ako sa kanila? Hindi, pero ‘pag nakalawit ko sila gagawin kong dekolores o dekorasyon ang mga barko nila sa ilalim ng dagat,” Moreno said.

(Will I go to war against them? No but if I catch them, I will make their vessels a decoration under the sea.)

“That is the job of the president. Now, parang aggressive tayo (it may look like we are aggressive), the answer is we must, because it is ours. Nothing more, nothing less,” he added.

Moreno was asked about the latest incident in the WPS, where two Philippine boats that were on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal were blocked and water cannoned by the Chinese Coast Guard.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. had already conveyed "in the strongest terms" to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and his Chinese counterpart in Beijing the Philippines'  "outrage, condemnation and protest of the incident.”

Ayungin Shoal is part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), as well as the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.—LDF, GMA News