Bong Go to China: stop bullying tactics, mutual respect must be given

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has appealed to China to exercise mutual respect among nations and cease their bullying tactics towards the Philippines. He also emphasized the importance of pursuing peaceful and diplomatic relations amid conflicts related to the West Philippine Sea. 

On August 5, Sunday, during a peaceful resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal, the Chinese Coast Guard used a water cannon against Philippine vessels, an act that has been condemned by Go.

"Nag-speech na po ako dito sa Senado, kinokondena ko po ito. I strongly condemn ‘yung recent na nangyari sa panghaharass po sa ating (Philippine) Coast Guard, kaya po ako'y nananawagan: Stop bullying us,” Go said in an interview on August 10, after assisting indigents in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

"Maganda po ang binigay na respeto, napakataas po ng respeto na binigay ni dating pangulo (Rodrigo Duterte) sa anim na taon ng kanyang administrasyon sa bansang Tsina,” he said.

“Sana naman po respetuhin n’yo rin po ang aming bansa. Hindi porket maliit tayo na bansa, ay ibubully n’yo na lang po,” added Go.

While Filipino people are known for their fighting spirit, this matter is best addressed through proper diplomatic channels, Go said at the Senate plenary on August 7.

"Kahit na ilang protest po ang gagawin kung paulit-ulit n’yo naman pong ginagawa ay pambabastos na po ‘yan. Respetuhin n’yo po ang bayan namin dahil nirerespeto namin kayo,” he stressed.

"Nagpasa po kami ng resolution. The Senate can only express its sense on the matter. ‘Yung sense of the Senate, opinion ika nga… Si Pangulong (Ferdinand) Marcos po ang chief architect ng ating foreign policy, s’ya po ang nakakaalam at hangad ko po ay maresolba po ito sa maayos at mapayapang paraan,” he added.

Go, who is also a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasized the importance of diplomacy and mutual respect in the international community. 

"Miyembro po ako ng foreign relations committee sa Senado, ang atin naman po dito ay kung pwedeng pag-usapan at huwag na pong maulit at sana po'y respetuhin ang ating mga fishermen, ang Philippine Coast Guard,” said Go.

The PCG has condemned the Chinese Coast Guard’s “illegal” and “dangerous” use of water cannon, highlighting that such act violated international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Likewise, the Armed Forces of the Philippines issued a statement calling for prudence, responsibility, and cautioning against actions that could endanger lives.

In line with this, Go has filed Senate Bill No. 2112, or the PCG Modernization Bill. The proposed bill seeks to upgrade PCG’s assets and resources, to enable the service to carry out its duties and responsibilities more effectively. Its main goal is to upgrade the coast guard's vessels, aircraft, and equipment to meet international standards.

“Bilang inyong senador, nagfile din po ako ng modernization ng ating Coast Guard, karagdagang kagamitan, mga modernong kagamitan po para naman po mareinforce natin ang ating Philippine Coast Guard,” said Go.

Such improvements are also expected to significantly enhance response time during maritime incidents and emergencies.

"Our Coast Guard serves as the frontline defense against threats like smuggling, terrorism. Malaki po ang kanilang trabaho. Additionally, they provide invaluable assistance during natural disasters and emergencies," Go explainedl.

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