The People’s Republic of China has installed missiles in the Spratlys, well inside our EEZ and our territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea. In an unprecedented move, it has also landed nuclear-capable bombers near the area, putting almost the whole Philippines within the bombing range of China.
These actions are a cause of great concern and anxiety not only for the peoples in the region who consider the West Philippine Sea and its nearby waters a maritime commons, but for all peace-loving peoples of the world.
In failing to exert efforts to prevent the militarization of these waters, and to uphold our dignity as a sovereign nation, our government has been remiss both in its duty to pursue the national interest, and in its responsibilities to the community of nations — among them, to work toward peace and stability, and to not act in a manner that compromises the security of our neighbors.
We echo House Resolution 1875, introduced by Liberal and allied Congressmen, and Senate Resolution 744, introduced by Liberal Senator Leila de Lima, in urging the government to take immediate and appropriate action, including the filing of diplomatic protests against the People’s Republic of China, in connection with these recent developments.
We implore the President and his administration to heed the call of the Filipino people: to exhibit courage, to not give away our islands, and to do right by their oaths to the Constitution.
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Pahayag ng mga Liberal Democrat ukol sa soberanya
Nagtayo ang People’s Republic of China ng mga missile installation sa Spratlys, na nasa loob ng ating EEZ at territorial claims sa West Philippine Sea. Sa unang pagkakataon, nakapaglapag na rin sila ng mga nuclear-capable na bomber sa ating mga karatig-dagat, na inilalagay ang halos buong Pilipinas sa loob ng bombing range ng China.
Nagdudulot ng matinding pag-aalala at pangamba ang mga kilos na ito, hindi lamang sa mga mamamayan sa rehiyon na itinuturing na maritime commons ang West Philippine Sea at ang karagatang malapit dito, ngunit para sa lahat ng mga nagmamahal sa kapayapaan sa buong mundo.
Sa hindi pagsisikap na pigilan ang militarisasyon sa mga dagat na ito, at sa pagkabigong igiit ang ating dignidad bilang bansang may sariling soberanya, nabigo rin ang gobyernong tuparin ang kanyang tungkuling itaguyod ang pambansang interes, at sa kanyang mga responsibilidad sa pandaigdigang pamayananan — kabilang na ang pagsisikap na maabot ang kapayapaan at katatagan, at ang hindi pagkilos sa paraang magdadala ng panganib sa ating mga karatig-bansa.
Gaya ng nakasaad sa House Resolution 1875 na isinulong ng mga Liberal at kaalyado nating Congressman, at sa Senate Resolution 744 na isinulong ng ka-Liberal nating si Senador Leila de Lima, inuudyok namin ang agaran at angkop na pagkilos ng gobyerno, kabilang na ang paghahain ng mga diplomatic protest laban sa People’s Republic of China, kaugnay ng mga kaganapang nabanggit.
Hinihimok namin ang Pangulo at ang administrayon na tumugon sa tawag ng taumbayang Pilipino: Magpamalas ng giting, huwag ipamigay ang ating mga isla, at tuparin ang kanilang tungkulin sa ating Saligang Batas.
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Signatories (as of 19:38, Wednesday):
Senator Kiko Pangilinan
Senator Franklin Drilon
Senator Bam Aquino
Senator Leila de Lima
Rep. Edgar R. Erice (District 2, Caloocan City)
Rep. Jorge John B. Banal Jr. (District 3, Quezon City)
Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte (District 6, Quezon City)
Rep. Teodoro B. Baguilat Jr. (Lone District, Ifugao)
Rep. Mario Vittorio A. Mariño (District 5, Batangas)
Rep. Edcel C. Lagman (District 1, Albay)
Rep. Emmanuel A. Billones (District 1, Capiz)
Rep. Jocelyn S. Limkaichong (District 1, Negros Oriental)
Rep. Rene L. Relampagos (District 1, Bohol)
Rep. Raul V. Del Mar (District 1, Cebu – Cebu City)
Rep. Raul A. Daza (District 1, Northern Samar)
Partido Liberal vice president for external affairs Erin Tanada
Former Secretary of Transportation and Communication Joseph Emilio A. Abaya
Partido Liberal National Executive Council member Victor Gerardo J. Bulatao
Melchor Cayabyab (Sectoral-Labor)
Roland dela Cruz (Sectoral-Labor)
Dioscoro Granada (Sectoral-Peasant)
Francisco Garlit (Sectoral-Peasant)
Lisa Aquilera (Sectoral-Urban Poor)
Vicky Garchitorena (Sectoral-Women)
Jiggy Calucag (Sectoral-Youth)
Jobelle Domingo (Sectoral-Youth)
Ryan Calvin Aquino (Sectoral-Youth)