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 USA, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the UK, for supporting the Philippines.
READ: G7 hammers China over Russia ties, ‘dangerous’ commerce
“On behalf of our nation, we wish to categorical our deep gratitude to members of G7 and our allies in Asia-Pacific and different nations which have made comparable statements of help,” Romualdez mentioned.
“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 mentioned that China ought to cease its harassment towards Filipino fisherfolk and troops throughout the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, often known as Bajo de Masinloc and Ayungin Shoal, stating 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 comparable 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 towards China within the worldwide group,” he mentioned.
“In our case, Beijing’s aggression is going down inside our personal 200-mile unique financial zone,” he added.
Based mostly on studies, the G7 bloc warned China on sending weapons parts to Russia and play by the principles on commerce.
Apart from the lawmakers, Nationwide Safety Adviser Eduardo Año additionally welcomed the current assertion of the G7 nations and mentioned that the nation stands with them.
“The resolute stance of the G7 nations towards the harmful use of coast guard and maritime militia within the South China Sea, significantly the obstruction of excessive seas freedom of navigation, is a big affirmation of the rules of worldwide legislation and the rules-based worldwide order,” Año mentioned.
“We respect the G7’s express condemnation of the growing use of harmful maneuvers and water cannons towards 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 legislation in maritime disputes. Certainly, there is no such thing as a authorized foundation for China’s expansive maritime claims within the South China Sea,” he added.
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