Hontiveros: Drop PH gov't projects with companies involved in China's military installations in the West PH Sea

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday said that the government should immediately drop project agreements with Chinese companies that are involved in the construction of China's artificial islands and military installations in the West Philippine Sea, amid reports of China launching missiles in the disputed waters.

"It is disturbing that the government has engaged with Chinese companies involved in the destruction of our territories. Tayo na nga ang ninanakawan ng teritoryo, tapos magiging kasabwat din pala ang gobyerno sa pagnanakaw na ito?" Hontiveros said, calling on Malacañang to withdraw from these infrastructure deals.

Hontiveros said that the list of companies that contributed to dredging and construction of military islands in the West Philippine Sea -- as released by the U.S.'s Department of Commerce -- included China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC), a company whose subsidiaries have entered into several projects with the Philippine government.

"Based on the information available to us, the government currently has five memorandum of understanding (MOU) with this Chinese company. Meron sa Manila, Davao, Cebu, at Clark. Hindi pwedeng magpatuloy ang mga proyektong ito. If we continue with these deals, it may be equivalent to giving up our territories," the senator said.

Hontiveros said that CCCC's subsidiaries have MOUs for the Davao Coastline and Port Development Project, Manila Harbour Center Reclamation Project, Cebu International and Bulk Terminal Project, and the Manila-Clark railway. The senator further said that another Chinese company, China Harbor Engineering Co. (CHEC), also won a bid to build an access road to New Clark City.

"These predatory Chinese companies must be stopped. Let us not give up our sovereignty for infrastructure that can be led by many other companies that do not actively engage in encroaching on our territories. Huwag natin isuko ang ating mga teritoryo para sa iilang proyekto na wala ding kasiguraduhang tunay na makakatulong sa Pilipino," the senator said.

"Bukas, sa pagdiwang natin ng 'Heroes Day,' sana huwag nating kalimutan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani na buong pusong ipinaglaban ang kalayaan at kasarinlan ng ating inang bayan," she concluded.