Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña announced plans to form a dedicated West Philippine Sea (WPS) bloc in the House of Representatives, aiming to fortify the country’s defense of its maritime rights amid continued Chinese aggression.
Speaking ahead of the third Atin Ito civilian mission—set to include a concert near Pag-asa Island—Cendaña said the bloc would unite lawmakers who are staunch defenders of Philippine sovereignty. “This will be a bloc of champions of sovereignty who believe that the WPS is ours and that we must protect and use our resources,” he said.
The bloc plans to propose several legislative initiatives:
- A bill mandating the inclusion of West Philippine Sea history and geography in the national curriculum.
- A bill declaring July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day, commemorating the 2016 Hague ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea.
- The creation of a West Philippine Sea Institute tasked with research, marine protection, and educational outreach.
Akbayan’s first nominee, Chel Diokno, emphasized that the bloc would focus on facts and education to combat disinformation. “We will use truth and learning to counter lies and propaganda spread by the Chinese government and its local supporters,” he said.
Despite the 2016 Hague ruling clearly affirming Philippine maritime rights, China continues to disregard the decision and has escalated hostile actions in the region. Just recently, the BFAR reported that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon and sideswiped a Philippine scientific research ship near Sandy Cay within the country’s exclusive economic zone.