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Manila, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros urges the government to eliminate all contracts with Chinese companies involved in the construction of military structures and other establishments in the Western Philippine Sea.
This follows the US government’s move to blacklist a total of 24 Chinese companies that are helping the Chinese military establish artificial islands and militarize the disputed territory in the South China Sea and the alleged launches of Chinese missiles on the island.
Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin previously announced that he would recommend that the Philippine government cut business ties with Chinese companies if they are shown to be involved in militarization activities in the Western Philippine Sea.
Hontiveros argued that it is alarming to learn that the Philippine government is dealing with Chinese firms that destroy the country’s own territory.
The senator stated that several subsidiaries of China Communications Construction Company Limited that were among the companies blacklisted by the US government have an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippine government, particularly on infrastructure projects in Manila, Davao City, Cebu and Clark in Pampanga.
These projects include:
- Davao Port and Coastal Development Project
- Manila Port Downtown Recovery Project
- Cebu International Project and Bulk Terminal
- Manila-Clark Railway
In addition, the Chinese company China Harbor Engineering Company has won the tender for the construction of an access road to the city of New Clark.
Hontiveros said that these projects must end.
“These projects cannot continue. [These projects must stop.] If we continue with these agreements, it may be equivalent to giving up our territories, ”said Hontiveros.
Meanwhile, the Akbayan group urges President Rodrigo Duterte to disclose to the public all the Chinese loan contracts that his administration has entered into.
“A comprehensive audit of the debt of all Chinese loans is necessary to determine if these loan agreements are legitimate, do not carry unfair conditionalities that could undermine the sovereignty, territory, economy and security of our country, and not the result of questionable transactions, “said Akbayan’s chairman. Etta Rosales, Commissioner Emeritus and former Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Malacañang has not yet responded. MNP (with details by Harlene Delgado)
