Hontiveros: Are there Filipinos involved in building the Chinese military's islands in the West PH Sea?

"May sabwatan ba ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno, sinumang indibidwal, o mga grupo sa Pilipinas sa patuloy na pagtatayo ng artificial islands at military installations ng Tsina sa mga isla natin?"

This was the remark made by Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, as she filed Senate Resolution No. 509, that seeks to investigate possible collaboration and collusion by entities within the Philippines in the construction of China's artificial islands and military installations in the West Philippine Sea.

"It's been recently revealed that Chinese companies that participate in the building of military islands in the West Philippine Sea have projects with the Philippine government, so it is not hard to suspect dubious engagement by either party. Ano pa ang hindi natin alam? Iyan ang gusto natin imbestigahan at maitigil," the senator said.

Hontiveros added that China has been militarizing the West Philippine Sea by constructing long-range sensor rays, port facilities, runways, bunkers for fuel and weapons, and barracks for military personnel on these artificial islands.

"It is alarming that the island bases have put the Philippine archipelago within range of Chinese combat aircraft and bombers. This is a clear threat to our national security. Ang mga artificial islands na ito ay ginagawang ding outpost ng mga Chinese maritime militia na nanghaharass ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino," the senator said.

"Hindi lang seguridad ng ating bansa ang nasa panganib, pati narin ang buhay at hanapbuhay ng ating mga mangingisda," she added.

Hontiveros also said that soil, sand, and other materials have allegedly been taken from the Philippines to construct China's artificial islands. "Imposibleng walang sabwatan na nangyayari kung madaling nagawa ito ng Tsina sa sarili nating bansa. Sino ang mga traydor na ito? This should be investigated immediately and anyone found to have colluded with foreign powers to militarize the West Philippine Sea should be penalized," the senator said.

"Kahit pa malaki ang kalaban, huwag tayong matakot tumindig. Tayo ang may karapatan sa West Philippine Sea. Ipaglaban natin ang karapatang ito para sa ating soberanya at para sa dignidad ng bawat Pilipino," Hontiveros concluded.

***Please see attached PSR No. 509 in PDF