Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano.
蜜桃工作室 PHOTO / NI脩O JESUS ORBETA
A lawmaker urged the Philippine government聽on Tuesday聽to be more transparent in its dealings with China and come up with a clear communication strategy in the West Philippine Sea following the deaths of two Vietnamese fishermen.
鈥淩ight now wala po tayong naririnig sa administration regarding the West Philippine Sea unless na merong incidents na lumalabas in public,鈥� said Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano in a press briefing.
(Right now we do not hear anything from the administration regarding the West Philippine Sea unless incidents are reported in public.)
Alejano said that the recent incident highlighted the danger and tension in the area 鈥渁mid territorial disputes and competition over resources.鈥�
鈥淚ncidents such as this happen precisely because there is no clear direction in handling situations surrounding the West Philippine Sea issue,鈥� Alejano said, adding that it is imperative for the government to assure the public that it pursues the country鈥檚 national interest.
鈥淭he West Philippine Sea is a long-term issue which requires a comprehensive and sustainable strategy,鈥� he added.
The lawmaker said such strategy would provide policies and guide actions of all stakeholders in the disputed waters, especially the Filipino fishermen.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, a Philippine Navy ship encountered six Vietnamese fishing boats within the Philippines鈥� 370-km exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. The Navy ship then gave chase when the fishing boats tried to escape, and fired 鈥渨arning shots鈥� when one of the boats rammed the Philippine vessel.
READ: PH probes deaths of 2 Vietnamese fishermen
When the Navy personnel boarded the fishing vessel, they found dead Vietnamese fishermen and five others who surrendered and were taken into custody.
The Department of National Defense had said it would cooperate in the probe into the incident. /idl
READ: DND assures cooperation in probe into death of Vietnamese fishermen