PCG calls Filipinos who defend China's recent actions in the West Philippine Sea as 'traitors', 'unpatriotic'
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Free speech is a right to air one's views, no matter how trismes or unpatriotic it may seem.
00:05 But it can have alienating consequences, as seen in assertion unleashed by both the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson
00:12 and affirmed by the defense chief on fellow Filipinos who somehow lean toward giving the Chinese Coast Guard
00:18 a pass on their dastardly deeds against the Philippine Coast Guard at the West Philippine Sea over the weekend.
00:24 The full report from Patrick De Souza.
00:29 In a tweet, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore J. Tariella,
00:36 called some Filipinos who are defending China's aggressive actions in our territory as a traitor and unpatriotic.
00:44 He added that all Filipinos should unite in calling out China's unlawful activities in the West Philippine Sea
00:52 and promote the nation's interest in resolving the issues peacefully.
00:56 Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has the same sentiments.
01:01 He stressed that the action of the Philippines is not dictated by another country.
01:07 There are propaganda spreading.
01:10 We don't know where it's coming from.
01:14 Maybe from China, maybe from others.
01:17 But its purpose is to spread gossip in every sector of society that we divide.
01:26 And we are forced, we are forced to join,
01:30 that all our actions are being forced by the United States.
01:35 I am saying this is an insult to the Republic of the Philippines.
01:41 For an international security analyst, China is doing a grey zone blockade strategy.
01:48 This is for the eventual destruction of the old and rusty BRP Sierra Madre,
01:53 which China can take advantage of and have full control of Ayungin Shoal.
01:58 A proof to be considered is the use of the water cannon by the Chinese Coast Guard
02:04 against the country's ships and supply boats,
02:07 which delayed the resupply mission for troops stationed in BRP Sierra Madre.
02:12 The ship, BRP Sierra Madre, is visibly deteriorating and becoming structurally unsound.
02:19 None of us in this room know when it will become uninhabitable,
02:24 when it may break up, when it might slide off the shoal,
02:27 when perhaps China could move in to rescue the Philippine sailors who are stationed there
02:36 and all of a sudden gain control of the shoal.
02:38 Other experts added that having joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea
02:43 with like-minded countries can help.
02:45 This can be done during resupply missions.
02:48 Our supply ships should really push through
02:52 and maybe this is where we can maximize joint patrols
03:00 and be shepherded by allies and friends as we resupply.
03:08 Not for the cause of war, but simply exercising our own rights based on international law
03:15 and a military facility that is within our exclusive economic zone.
03:20 On August 22 to 24, the ASEAN countries and China will resume talks in the Philippines
03:27 pertaining to the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
03:31 For retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio,
03:35 the Philippines should assert its rights more on its own territory in this meeting.
03:41 We will not agree to a COC that excludes the arbitral award.
03:45 Let's go there, but state our position.
03:49 Patrick del Sous for the Nation.