Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday commended the recent joint patrols conducted in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), calling the operation a clear act of defiance against China’s intimidation.
“The joint patrols are a clear display of our resistance to China’s bullying. These exercises demonstrate the commitment of the international community to uphold the rules-based order in the entire South China Sea,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
She further emphasized that these operations send a strong message to those who violate international law. “It shows that we who believe in the rule of law will not tolerate any form of violence, threat, or intimidation. I do think that these help put China in her place,” she added.
As a vocal critic of China’s aggressive actions in the WPS, Hontiveros urged Beijing to respect international agreements, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
“It has always been clear that it is China who is provoking tensions in the West Philippine Sea — not us — so it is China who must stop her aggression,” Hontiveros concluded.
In a separate interview, former senator and ex-military officer Gringo Honasan also highlighted the importance of joint maritime activities with allied nations in maintaining balance in the WPS.
“China has been affronting us for a long time already. So how can they view this as an affront to China? This is reciprocal. That’s par for the course. Deterrent effect. Equilibrium that translates into order. Balance of power,” Honasan stated.
However, Honasan stressed the need for a peaceful resolution to the disputes. “Beyond that, they should have a plan how to resolve this peacefully, either through international bodies or, in their absence, through mobilization plans to prepare for any eventuality. Focus on the real issues,” he added.
Over the weekend, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. announced that the Philippines is conducting joint maritime drills within its territorial waters with defense forces from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.
Brawner emphasized that these joint exercises with the U.S., Japan, Australia, and New Zealand underscore the nations’ shared commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law, in accordance with the UNCLOS.