📋 Tender Overview
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs DFA to broker updated security agreements with different countries that can help defend the Philippines from Chinas continued aggression.We have to exhaust all possible ways to defend the Philippines from Chinas shameless actions. A security agreement can serve as a defensive framework that would provide for joint patrols and training of our troops so we are prepared to work as part of a team should tensions escalate Hontiveros said.China harasses and bullies our fishermen and coast guards every day. We cannot do anything the senator added.During a security conference in Germany DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said that the harassment of Filipino fishermen and coast guard personnel is a daily situation that we face. He then called on the United Nations to help create greater awareness on the importance of upholding the UNCLOS and sustaining a rules-based order in our seas.Besides creating awareness we in the Philippines also have to lead in taking tangible steps that can urgently help our citizens who are directly affected by Chinas aggression. If we do not defend our rights in our own oceans then we are deprived of our fishermen our citizens make a living Hontiveros said.The senator said that our country should not only depend on the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US in protecting our sovereign rights in the WPS emphasizing that similar agreements can also be forged with other countries that want to maintain peace and stability in the region.We must strengthen our relationship with neighboring countries that will also be greatly affected if Chinas blasphemy does not stop. China will not stop until we surrender the WPS so we must also show her that we will never stand down the senator said.In this fight China is alone while we have many allies. Let us maximize the reinforcement of the international community and consolidate all this support once and for all Hontiveros concluded.
