MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives lawmakers on Saturday condemned China’s deployment of a floating platform and other structures in Bajo de Masinloc, warning that the move could further escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Among them were Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila De Lima and The House Young Guns bloc composed of Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun, La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, and Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong,
The group denounced what they described as China’s illegal and provocative actions within Philippine maritime zones.
“The People’s Republic of China’s actions are a direct assault on our sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional peace and stability,” the House Young Guns said in a statement.
“We stand united with the Filipino people and the entire government in defending every inch of our territory and exclusive economic zone. Diplomacy must be backed by resolve. They must cease these illegal activities now.”
Citing findings by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard, the lawmakers said China had installed a movable 6-by-6-meter floating platform inside the shoal, along with additional floating buoys, communication antennas and other structures.
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De Lima likewise condemned the deployment of the floating installation, saying it constituted an unauthorized intrusion into Philippine maritime zones.
De Lima said the platform, which Philippine authorities believe is equipped with communications or monitoring equipment, should be viewed in the broader context of China’s activities in the South China Sea.
“The Filipino people have every reason to view this latest development with grave concern,” she said in her statement on Saturday posted on X.
According to De Lima, China’s actions have historically followed a pattern in which temporary civilian or research activities evolve into sustained occupation and the construction of permanent facilities.
READ: PH protests floating structure in Panatag
“It is therefore neither alarmist nor speculative to question the true purpose and long-term implications of this newly deployed floating platform,” she said.
She also stressed that China’s actions continue to disregard the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
Both the House Young Guns and De Lima called on China to remove the platform and other installations from Bajo de Masinloc and comply with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. /jpv
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