Former Senator Francis Tolentino will continue to defend the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), despite the sanctions imposed by China.
In an interview on Damdaming Bayan on Wednesday, July 2, Tolentino maintained that what he did was for the Filipino people, echoing yesterday’s statement that described the sanction as a “badge of honor.”
“Ang ibig sabihin po niyan ay pinahalagahan nila lahat yung mga ginawa ko nung mga nakaraang linggo, nung nakaraang buwan, nung nakaraang taon. Kagaya po nung sinabi ko, badge of honor po ‘yon, isang karangalan po ‘yon, at hahawakan ko ng may chapa ng karangalan,” he said.
“Ang sabi ko nga, tama lang naman po yung ginawa natin dahil narinig po tayo nila. Kahit ako po ay isang private citizen ngayon, sinabi ko kahapon, patuloy ko pong ipaglalaban ngayon ang ating karapatan sa WPS,” he added.
Tolentino expressed that he hopes more Filipinos will be given badges of honor. Although the former senator was barred from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, he pointed out that China did not include the WPS on the list.
“Pero mayroon po ditong hindi naisama sila na inaangkin nila. Hindi nila sinama yung WPS. Ang ibig sabihin po, impliedly, hindi kanila [ang WPS]. Hindi kanila ang Spratly [Islands], hindi kanila yung Sandy Cay reef, Panganiban reef, hindi kanila yung Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). Kasi kung kanila po ‘yon, edi sinama na rin po ‘yon. Hindi nila sinama [sa listahan],” Tolentino highlighted.
“Kaya siguro pwede po akong pumunta doon sa mga lugar na ‘yon dahil bahagi po ‘yon ng Pilipinas,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tolentino said he will be teaching international law, adding that the WPS is part of his curriculum.
“Sa mga kabataang Pilipino, patuloy ko pong maihahayag kung ano po yung tama sa international law, tama sa ating kasaysayan, tama sa ating pangangailangan, at tama sa national interest,” he stated.
“Yun po ang gagawin [ko], at hindi po tayo nakikipagaway. Siguro po, kung may mga kasamahan ako sa Senado na kailangan ng konting legal advice, tayo naman po ay handang tumulong sa ating mga kasamahan doon,” he added.
The former senator also thanked his supporters, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. The latter released a statement on Tuesday, questioning China’s sanctions.
“For years, despite the Arbitral Ruling that favored our claims over portions of the West Philippine Sea, China has continued to bully, harass, and subject our maritime scientists, personnel, and fisherfolk to inhumane and provocative actions. It is appalling that efforts to defend our territorial claims are now being branded as "egregious conduct." China should be ashamed,” he said in a statement.
Estrada also urged the DFA to summon Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian to explain the “unjust move” to formally convey the government’s strong displeasure over China’s imposition of sanctions against Tolentino.
Meanwhile, the DFA also released a statement on the matter, stating that the measures are legally within China’s prerogative and are not “conducive to mutual efforts to restore mutual trust.”
Tolentino also spoke out on the sanctions imposed by China for “defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty” of Filipinos in the WPS.
“This sanction is a badge of honor and a testament to my unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and our people's dignity,” he said in a statement.
