They have no qualms about their persistent hostile acts—the damage it inflicts on our vessels, the harm to our fishermen, soldiers, and government personnel, the livelihood they are depriving us of, and the many lives being put at risk.

There are also reports that China is benefiting from black sand mining under the guise of dredging in our country. Isa ito sa dapat nating alamin at tutukan dahil bukod sa pagguho ng lupa, paghina ng huli ng ating mga mangingisda, sanhi rin ito ng malawakang pagbaha. We have already filed a measure in Congress to investigate this alleged illegal black sand mining, which has detrimental effects on the environment, health and livelihoods of our countrymen.

Let me reiterate our call: The government should be more aggressive in protecting our environment, sovereign rights, and territorial integrity – paramount and legitimate interests of our people. Ang atin ay atin, walang ibang may karapatang umangkin at sirain. The government must explore other avenues to call out China and gain more support from the international community in respecting our rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Hindi pwedeng hanggang diplomatic protests na lang.

We in the WPS bloc and other fellow House solons, have filed a measure urging the government to raise the escalating tensions in the WPS before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). We have also been calling on the government to file another arbitral case against China before an appropriate international tribunal. Pero waley pa rin. Why, oh why?

Dapat mas pumalag pa tayo, mas manindigan pa tayo. We must assert our rights for the people, with the people. We don’t want China’s continued harassments, bullying, and baseless territorial claims to persist in future administrations and generations.