(NI NOEL ABUEL)

IPINAAARESTO ng isang senador ang mga Chinese nationals na sakay ng isang Chinese dredging vessel na nakadaong sa karagatan sakop ng bayan ng Lobo, Batangas.

Paliwanag ni Senador Risa Hontiveros, kailangang beripikahin ng mga awtoridad kung may sapat na clearances at permit ang mga Chinese nationals na tripulante ng 99-meter long, 17-meter wide Chinese dredging vessel.

“I call on our authorities to investigate this matter and ascertain for sure if the crew of the Chinese dredging vessel has all the necessary documents, permits and clearances from our government. They must be immediately arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law if proven that they are in the area without any legal authority,” ani Hontiveros.

Kinuwestiyon pa nito kung ano ang ginagawa ng Chinese vessels sa karagatan sakop ng Pilipinas na mistulang inaangkin na nito ang nasabing lugar dahil sa pagkuha nito ng 2 milyon kubiko ng buhangin sa Lobo River para magamit sa itatayong Hong Kong International Airport Three Runway System Project.

“Is the Duterte administration still in full control of our waters and territories, or have they surrendered them already to China? The illegal, unreported and unregulated presence of numerous Chinese vessels in our territories is extremely bothering. China is not only a state sponsor to illegal fishing, it is also openly disregarding our sovereignty and marine jurisdiction. It is a deep and dangerous incursion into our territories,” dagdag pa nito.

Sa mga susunod na araw aniya ay maghahain ito ng resolusyon sa Senado para magsagawa ng imbestigasyon sa presensya ng illegal Chinese vessels sa bansa.