MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the Home of Representatives expressed their gratitude on Sunday to the G7 bloc of developed nations for backing the Philippines amid the growing tensions within the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In separate statements, Speaker Martin Romualdez and China critic Cagayan de Oro’s 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez lauded the G7, which consists of the US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the UK, for supporting the Philippines.
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“On behalf of our nation, we want to specific our deep gratitude to members of G7 and our allies in Asia-Pacific and different nations which have made related statements of help,” Romualdez stated.
“Beijing ought to stop its aggression and abandon areas inside our 200-mile unique financial zone that its forces have occupied and militarized, reclaimed, or seized. In any other case, China dangers isolation and doable sanctions,” he added.
The lawmaker additionally stated that China ought to cease its harassment in opposition to Filipino fisherfolk and troops inside the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, also referred to as Bajo de Masinloc and Ayungin Shoal, declaring that “they’re very removed from China and its unique financial zone.”
Likewise, Rodriguez welcomed the help, calling China “a pariah earlier than the world as a result of no nation would need to be on the receiving finish of one other nation’s aggressive actions.”
“The G7 declaration of help, along with related pronouncements from allies of the Philippines on this a part of the world, together with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, is proof that we’re successful the battle in opposition to China within the worldwide group,” he stated.
“In our case, Beijing’s aggression is happening inside our personal 200-mile unique financial zone,” he added.
Primarily based on experiences, the G7 bloc warned China on sending weapons elements to Russia and play by the foundations on commerce.
Other than the lawmakers, Nationwide Safety Adviser Eduardo Año additionally welcomed the latest assertion of the G7 nations and stated that the nation stands with them.
“The resolute stance of the G7 nations in opposition to the damaging use of coast guard and maritime militia within the South China Sea, notably the obstruction of excessive seas freedom of navigation, is a big affirmation of the ideas of worldwide regulation and the rules-based worldwide order,” Año stated.
“We recognize the G7’s express condemnation of the growing use of harmful maneuvers and water cannons in opposition to Philippine vessels. This acknowledgment underscores the worldwide group’s recognition of the threats confronted by our nation and reaffirms the significance of upholding the rule of regulation in maritime disputes. Certainly, there isn’t any authorized foundation for China’s expansive maritime claims within the South China Sea,” he added.
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