Palace on China's ban on Tolentino: Pinoys who fight for PH rights 'won't be silenced'

Malacañang on Wednesday underscored that Filipinos who are fighting for the country's maritime rights would never be silenced.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro made the statement a day after China imposed a ban against former senator Francis Tolentino, who has been vocal on asserting the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

''Kung ano man po ang naging dahilan ng China sa pag-ban kay Senator Tolentino, kanila po itong desisyon," Castro said. 

"Pero ang bawat Pilipino ang tunay na Pilipino at ang mga Pilipino na pro-Philippines, hindi nila ito mapapatahimik at hindi nila ito mapagbabawalan na ipagtanggol kung anuman ang karapatan natin sa ating bansa at sa ating maritime rights,'' she added. 

Asked if President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos would summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian over the matter, Castro said the President has not mentioned anything about meeting the envoy. 

China imposed sanctions against Tolentino by banning him from entering its mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao due to his alleged “egregious conduct” on China-related issues.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson made the announcement a day after Tolentino’s term as Philippine senator ended.

The spokesperson stressed that the Chinese government would defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests despite remarks from so-called anti-China politicians from the Philippines.

'Badge of Honor'

For his part, Tolentino acknowledged the sanctions imposed on him, which he called a “badge of honor.”

“This sanction is a badge of honor and a testament to my unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and our people’s dignity,” the former lawmaker said.

“No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty. I am, and will always be, proud to be Filipino,” he added.

To recall, Tolentino sponsored in the Senate the Philippine Maritime Zones Act which is a declaration that Manila exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over its internal waters, territorial sea archipelagic waters, and the airspace over it, including its seabed and subsoil. 

He was also the principal sponsor of the proposed Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which he said would help ensure the country's maritime domain, and strengthen territorial integrity and national security. —VAL, GMA Integrated News