Reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino has vowed to push for the full implementation of maritime protection laws and stronger enforcement capabilities to safeguard the livelihood and rights of fisherfolk in coastal provinces facing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking during a press conference with fellow senatorial candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, Tolentino said Filipino fishers are bearing the brunt of repeated harassment and intimidation by Chinese vessels in Philippine waters.
“Mahigpit nating ipatutupad ‘yong Republic Act [12065], ‘yong Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, na maliwanag po kung saan dadaan ‘yong mga malalaking barko galing sa ibang bansa. Sa ganoong paraan, maiiwasan po ‘yong banggaan,” said Tolentino, who is also the Senate majority leader.
He pointed out that recent maritime incidents, including fatal collisions involving large foreign vessels, have gone unresolved to this day.
“Alam ko po ‘yong nangyari sa Villasis (Pangasinan)… ako po ay nakipaglamay doon sa mga kababayan natin na nabangga ng isang malaking barko. Nasa husgado pa ho ito sa Singapore para makakuha tayo ng ilang claims,” he said.
Tolentino also stressed the need to bolster maritime defense and law enforcement agencies, particularly the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, which he said remain under-resourced.
“Ang kailangan po dito ay patuloy na palakasin natin ang Coast Guard at ang BFAR. Idagdag ko pa ho dito ‘yong PNP Maritime Police Command na sa ngayon ay medyo mahina,” he said.
Citing both economic and strategic stakes, the senator said China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea are not just acts of harassment, but are also designed to encroach on the Philippines’ valuable marine resources and energy reserves.
“Hindi naman po siguro karapat-dapat na ‘yong yaman ng dagat natin, kabilang po siguro ang 5.4 billion barrels of oil sa West Philippine Sea, ay naglalaway pa sila. Ito po ay pag-aari ng Pilipinas,”he said.
He warned that China’s influence efforts extend beyond the seas and into the domestic political landscape, linking maritime harassment with attempts to sway Philippine policymaking and repeal hard-won maritime laws.
“Gusto ng China na manalo ‘yong Pro-China senatoriables … gusto nilang ma-repeal ‘yong batas na ‘yon,” he said, referring to the Philippine Maritime Zones Law. “Gusto nilang ma-repeal, wala ng oversight no’n kung repealed na ‘yon, hindi na ipapatupad.”
He urged unity and vigilance among Filipinos, asserting that the defense of the country’s territorial integrity and the livelihood of its coastal communities should remain a top national priority.
“Dapat ipakita natin bilang isang bansa na nagkakaisa po tayo. Ito po ay isang concerted effort to really undermine the democratic system and our way of life here in the Philippines,” he said.(PR)
