SOME senators urged Wednesday, May 9, the Duterte administration to act immediately on China's installation of missiles in the contested Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Senator Gregorio Gringo Honasan, who chairs the Senate committee on national defense and security, described the move of the Chinese military as alarming and requires serious concern.
A former military man, Honasan said the Philippines has all the rights to protest China's move considering the United Nations arbitration court has already rejected China's historical claim and has given the Philippines legal rights in the contested Spratly Islands.
"The Duterte Administration should stand its ground on this issue," Honasan said.
Senator Antonio Trillanes III, a former Navy officer turned senator, echoed the call of Honasan insisting on the need for the Senate to investigate the reported Chinese militarization of the Spratly Islands.
Trillanes filed a resolution to investigate the issue and called on the Duterte Administration to uphold the sovereign rights of the country.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former police officer, urged President Duterte as commander-in-chief to convene the National Security Council to tackle the issue, which he described as a serious concern.
Lacson said it is a must for the Senate to exercise its oversight functions and investigate the issue considering its seriousness in safeguarding national sovereignty and security.
An international intelligence report confirmed China's militarization and the installation of cruise missiles that can hit Palawan Islands.
Senator Leila de Lima, a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte who is detained on drug charges, described the recent developments as the biggest threat to national security.
De Lima said: "China's aggressive militarization of the West Philippine Sea is alarming and the Duterte government should not take the matter lightly." (PS Jun Sarmiento/VoxPop Philippines)