De Lima blasts China over Ayungin Shoal assault: ‘Ang kapal talaga ng mukha’
Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila De Lima reiterated her call for stronger government action after the China Coast Guard assaulted a member of the Philippine Navy at Ayungin Shoal. De Lima also called. . .
Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila De Lima reiterated her call for stronger government action after the China Coast Guard assaulted a member of the Philippine Navy at Ayungin Shoal. De Lima also called China “shameless” for trying to twist the narrative by claiming it was provoked by the Philippine personnel. She said China is not fooling anyone, especially since it is the one intruding into Philippine territory and has a history of aggression against Philippine vessels. “Kahit bali-baligtarin nila ang totoong nangyari, hindi uubra ang palusot nila. Hindi naman ito ang unang beses na gumawa sila ng kabulastugan at karahasan at pagkatapos ay hindi sila aamin,” she said. She pointed to China’s ramming of Philippine ships, its use of water cannons against them, and its blocking of Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal. These incidents took place while China claimed to be a friend to the Philippines, she pointed out. Filipinos who care about the Philippines will not be deceived by China, even if some Philippine officials have been mum on Beijing’s actions, she said. “Yes, some Philippine officials have chosen to remain silent, turn a blind eye, and even defend China’s hostile acts, lies, and encroachment on our territories, but they cannot deceive the majority of Filipinos who genuinely care and stand up for the Philippines and our countrymen,” she said. She once more urged the Marcos administration to provide additional equipment for patrolling and defending Philippine waters and to respond with bolder action against China’s bullying and harassment. “Kung walang pakundangan ang China sa panggigipit at panghihimasok nila, hindi na sapat ang mga tugon na para bang tinatantya pa natin ang mararamdaman nila. Ipagtanggol natin ang Pilipinas. Protektahan natin ang mga Pilipino,” she said.