By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a statement on Thursday (Dec. 26), Quad-Committee chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers lamented China’s intensified bullying tactics by criticizing the Philippine government’s actions and decisions to protect its territory and sovereignty.
Barbers warned that the Chinese government and its leaders have neither business nor moral ascendancy to meddle in what the Philippine government does or wants to do in its effort to upgrade and accelerate its military capabilities, such as acquiring midrange missiles and other armaments from the United States.
“The Filipino people, including senators and congressmen, should rally and voice out their support to Secretary [Gilberto] Gibo Teodoro [Jr.] for standing up against the whims and caprices of the China government and its leaders,” the Quad-Comm chief declared, expressing support to the Defense chief.
“Sobra nang pakikialam ang ginagawa ng China sa ating bansa at dapat magkaisa at sama-sama tayong lahat na Filipino na pigilin at tuligsain ang kanilang mga makasariling layunin sa loob at labas ng bansa, partikular na sa West Philippine Sea,” he added further.
This was in support of Teodoro, who accused the Communist Party of China (CPC) of expanding its nuclear arsenal and ballistic missile capability, sponsoring criminal syndicates and subversive organizations beyond its borders like POGOs in the Philippines, and refusing to uphold human rights within China.
“Lahat ng sinabi ni Secretary Gibo ay tama at masakit na patama sa China dahil ang lahat ng ito ay totoo. Kahit ano pang gawin ng China propaganda bureau na naka-base sa loob at labas ng ating bansa ay di kayang pasinungalingan ang mga sinabi ni Gibo,” the Surigao del Norte lawmaker echoed the logical reasoning of the Defense chief.
“If China really wanted to reduce tensions and instability in the Southeast Asia region, it should cease their saber rattling, stop their provocative actions, halt their interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and withdraw their illegal presence inside the country’s 200-mile economic zone and adhere to international law like the UNCLOS decisions.” Barbers added.
He concluded his statement by urging the Filipino people to assail the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning, who reiterated the CPC’s call to withdraw the Typhon missile system that the US Army brought to the Philippines earlier this year for large-scale military exercises and declared that our officials are making an irresponsible choice when it plans to upgrade its military capability by purchasing US armaments. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
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