Senate slams Chinese embassy over WPS comments

National

FOLLOWING an intense plenary debate, the Senate on Monday, Feb. 9, formally adopted a resolution condemning the Chinese Embassy's recent attacks on Philippine officials defending the country’s maritime rights.

Resolution No. 256, which was signed by 15 senators, criticized Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s aggressive rhetoric against Philippine officials, asserted that such language violates the core international principles of "mutual respect and non-interference" between sovereign nations.

The resolution further noted that the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces have condemned China's attempts to intimidate or smear them, vowing not to be "silenced by such actions."

Finally, it urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to take diplomatic action to protect the "dignity of the Republic," and refer the issue to international bodies if necessary.

The resolution was backed by 15 lawmakers, led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri. Other signatories included Senators Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Francis Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Camille Villar, and Mark Villar.(Mary Angel Parac, BiPSU Comm Intern)