A Filipino senator expressed concern over what China would do in response to a civilian-led Christmas convoy to the Second Thomas Shoal scheduled for next week.
In an interview with local reporters on Tuesday (December 5), Senator Francis Tolentino said he was in discussion with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz about the convoy organized by a certain group called the "Atin Ito" Coalition
Atin Ito is Tagalog for "This is Ours."
"I told them to prepare for December 11," he said. "Because we might encounter more problems."
When asked if he meant possible harassment from China, similar to incidents earlier this year, Tolentino said that the Chinese might "do something else."
"Maybe they would do something else because they already used laser beams and water cannons," he added. "This is already a small civilian convoy. They should not do that."
At least 40 boats were expected to join the three-day voyage organized by This is Ours, and was originally opposed by Manila's National Security Council before reversing and approving the voyage, provided that the Philippine Coast Guard would escort the flotilla.
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Bullying in the High Seas
While having reservations about the convoy, Tolentino, who chaired the Philippine Senate's special committee on the country's maritime and admiralty zones, said that his country does not have to seek China's permission since Second Thomas - which Manila calls Ayungin - is part of the West Philippine Sea, an area of the South China Sea which is part of the archipelago nation's exclusive economic zone.
Second Thomas is the location of the BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately run aground as a permanent military outpost by the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly summoned FlorCruz, Tolentino added, citing his conversation with the Filipino ambassador.
"I think he is always called up whenever something happens here."
In November, Tolentino urged the Malacañang to temporarily recall FlorCruz following another water cannon attack by a Chinese vessel. He clarified that FlorCruz was not recalled, but simply consulted with officials in the Philippines.
Earlier this week, Tolentino was proposing legislation to "establish the geographical extent" of the Philippine maritime zones, local broadcaster ABS-CBN reported.
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