Presidential candidate Montemayor eyes to claim West Philippine Sea through military efforts

Presidential candidate Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr. on Tuesday said he will address the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue which hounds the relationship between the Philippines and China, through military efforts with the help of other countries.

During the Catholic E-Forum hosted by Radio Veritas, Montemayor said he sees China as a security threat to the Philippines, thus he would cut ties with it “immediately,” if he wins the presidential race.

“Immediately, I will cut relations with China. Total cut,” he emphasized.

He explained that the Philippines has 241 protests against China and the latter is just laughing at those as President Rodrigo Duterte is “pro-China” himself.

“241 protests na tayo as of January. Hindi nakikinig ang China, pinagtatawanan lang tayo [We have 241 protests as of January. China is not listening and just laughing at us],” he said.

Montemayor referred to the 241 diplomatic protests that the Philippines has filed against China since the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against Beijing’s massive claims in 2016.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that of these 241 protests, 183 were filed in 2021 as part of the “daily protest” which was launched after the swarming of Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef as well as the incidents near Pag-asa Islands.

Asked how he plans on claiming the WPS, Montemayor said, “Military, there’s no other way, kasi hindi nakikinig ang China [because China is not listening].”

“Ako po, isang Kapampangan. We are used in a lot of matters in wars, Death March. Halos 1% na lang ng Kapampangan ang natira, but we are willing to sacrifice our lives para maproteksyunan ang ating bansa,” he added.

(I am a Kapampangan. We are used in a lot of matters in wars due to the Death March. Only about 1% of Kapampangans were left, but we were willing to sacrifice our lives to protect our country.)

Montemayor stressed that when this happens, it is not only the Philippines that will fight as he will strengthen the Philippine’s alliance with other countries belonging to AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States), QUAD (India, Australia, Japan, US), ASEAN, and other middle powers nations like Japan, Australia, and South Korea.

“‘Yung ASEAN natin, hindi lang economic, dapat military din because we have common claims sa West Philippine Sea [The ASEAN should not only be economic, but also military because we have common claims in the WPS],” he said.

“Alam ninyo, kapag nakita ng China na may namatay silang isang sundalo [if China sees one of their soldiers dead], they will think twice about invading the Philippines,” he added.

He said that the Chinese industries are already apparent in the country, particularly in Zambales, and this means that China has “indirectly” gotten the Philippine territory.

The Philippine government sued China before an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague in 2013. It ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

It could also be recalled that the Chinese Coast Guard in November 2021 blocked and water cannoned two Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

China also demanded the Philippines to remove the grounded Philippine vessel BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal a day after Filipino boats reached the grounded Navy ship to complete their resupply mission. — RSJ, GMA News