THE Liberal Party (LP) yesterday urged President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration to file diplomatic protests against Beijing over China’s military activities within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
In a statement, the party said, “We implore the President and his administration to heed the call of the Filipino people: to exhibit courage, to not give away our islands, and to do right by their oaths to the Constitution.”
The party said China’s installation of missiles and landing of nuclear-capable bombers is a cause of “great concern and anxiety” for the people in the region.
Malacañang earlier expressed a similar sentiment, saying it is seriously concerned over the presence of Chinese bomber planes in the disputed South China Sea.
“We have no independent verification. But nonetheless we take note of the reports that appeared and we express our serious concerns anew on its impact on constructive efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing on Monday.