Senator Francis Tolentino, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, strongly condemned the China Coast Guard for its illegal occupation of Sandy Cay.
Tolentino emphasized that the seizure of Sandy Cay 1 by Chinese forces constitutes a blatant violation of Philippine sovereignty.
He asserted that Sandy Cay is undeniably within the Philippines’ territorial waters and is an integral part of the country under international law.
Tolentino stressed that abuses of this nature should not be tolerated.
He urged the government to lodge the strongest possible diplomatic protest and to strengthen national defense in the West Philippine Sea.
The senator further insisted that as a sovereign nation, the Philippines must not allow its rights and dignity to be trampled upon.