CCG personnel destroy equipment of the AFP’s rigid hull inflatable boat, and point weapons at Filipino troops during the June 17, 2024 resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. Photo courtesy Armed Forces of the Philippines

MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero on Thursday said the Senate wanted a full briefing from the Department of Foreign Affairs on the "alarming" confrontation with the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea where a Filipino sailor lost a thumb.

"The escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea is alarming, and the Senate will be seeking a full briefing from the DFA on the latest incident, as well as the efforts being undertaken to address this," Escudero said in a statement.

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The Senate chief urged the DFA to go beyond the filing of diplomatic protests each time an incident occurs and explore every means to conduct a meaningful dialogue with their counterparts from Beijing to avoid further escalation. 

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"As our diplomats work to advance our interests, I urge our Armed Forces to explore alternative methods to deliver provisions to the Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal so that our troops are properly resupplied while minimizing the risks and achieving our desired objectives," Escudero said.

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Meanwhile, Sen. Joel Villanueva said China has gone too far.

"China, sumosobra na! Sobrang kabastusan na po ang sunud-sunod na mga pambubully ng China sa ating mga kababayan sa sarili nating teritoryo. Hindi na rin po uubra ang paawa epek at pa-victim nila dahil kitang-kita naman po kung gaano sila walang respeto sa loob ng ating sariling teritoryo. Klaro naman po na ang Ayungin Shoal ay atin," Villanueva said.

"Sa pagbisita po natin sa Pag-asa Island noong Mayo, nakita po natin ang mala-higanteng mga barko at mas advance na teknolohiyang ginagamit ng China Coast Guard na panakot sa ating Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Nakakabahala rin po na bukod sa kanilang kagamitan ay mas nagiging agresibo na po sila sa pag-atake," he said.

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Villanueva Filipinos should remain united as he honored the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the civilians and fisherfolk who bravely sailed the West Philippine Sea.

Villanueva backed the official submission to the United Nations regarding the Philippines' entitlement to an extended continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea.

"This proactive step not only solidifies our historical claim over the Kalayaan Island Group, but also affirms our commitment to adhere to the rule of law at all times, rejecting any form of bullying, intimidation or false narratives," Villanueva said.

"For this, we extend our gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA) for their leadership in this action. This and all other incidents provide an opportunity for Filipinos to unite and assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea more strongly than ever," he said. 

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Sen. Loren Legarda urged constructive dialogue with China after the latest incident in Ayungin Shoal.

"Ayungin is clearly within our exclusive economic zone and so the humanitarian mission the resupply mission.... is part of our duty to sustain our people who are sacrificing by working there and guarding the BRP Sierra Madre. And so any damage, any violation in that area, which is our EEZ must be dealt with, how? By constructive dialogue but at the same time they must respect our sovereignty," she said.

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