in News & Culture, Social Media, World News

Netizens react to structures, Chinese vessels seen in West PH Sea as a task force for WPS releases ‘bold’ statement

Netizens blew their fuses after both seeing and hearing what Zambrano experienced during her recent trip to waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Zambrano showed a scenario in the several reefs in the West Philippine Sea via her one-minute and 36-second clip. Recently, she joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for an aerial survey in the area.

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Netizens just found another reason to be angry at the Duterte administration’s inaction over Chinese man-made islands in the West Philippine Sea as ABS-CBN journalist Chiara Zambrano shows how local reefs have now been taken over by Beijing.

Netizens blew their fuses after both seeing and hearing what Zambrano experienced during her recent trip to waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Zambrano showed a scenario in the several reefs in the West Philippine Sea via her one-minute and 36-second clip. Recently, she joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for an aerial survey in the area.

“I’ve flown over some of the artificial islands of China when they were still being built. To see them now completed is both chilling and sobering,” said Zambrano, who also shared the reefs they flew over in the video.

She also included in her short edit a text message that one would normally receive if you visit China: an automated advisory from telecommunications companies saying “Welcome to China” and to subscribe to a data roaming plan.

https://twitter.com/wheesuschrist/status/1377189454746513415

Some Netizens have even linked recent activities by Chinese “fishing vessels” to the number of donated vaccines the country just received from Beijing.

One Netizen even pointed out how the AFP and the Duterte administration still look towards “harassing Filipinos” as a show of strength.

https://twitter.com/earldanjohn/status/1377178103135367170

A Netizen, on the other hand, would summarize the thoughts of many in one sentence.

This line is a throwback to what President Rodrigo Duterte claims is an “independent foreign policy” of using his ‘own’ ways to deal with other nations.

As of writing, Zambrano’s video has garnered over 224,000 views, nearly 7,800 likes, and over 5,000 times retweets.

Such accounts are not the last of those who looked into or personally visited the airspace over these contested waters.

Rappler journalist Jairo Bolledo exposed ‘exactly’ how many Chinese vessels are in Philippine waters as of March 29.

It would also prompt what is ‘now described’ as the strongest statement to ever come from the Philippines against the Chinses presence in the West Philippine Sea.

In his report, Bolledo said the task force has called on Beijing to “immediately withdraw these vessels flying its flag. NTF-WPS stands by its observation that these so-called ‘fishing’ vessels are the maritime militia. Their build-up and massing formation from Julian Felipe Reef to other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group is hazardous to navigation and safety of life at sea.”

Those in the frontlines of the West Philippine Sea issue, specifically the military personnel recently sent to patrol the contested waters and airspace, have also gone viral for their bold move in responding to a Chinese radio challenge.

In this viral clip shared by Zambrano, Philippine airmen got informed that they “are approaching a Chinese reef” and that they should leave immediately, lest they may be subject to moves “that may cause misunderstanding.”

It prompted a response from the pilot of the surveillance aircraft, who insisted to “proceed based on our planned route” because they were over the Philippine EEZ.

It also drew reactions from Netizens imploring President Rodrigo Duterte to finally reveal which side he is on—the Filipinos or the Chinese.

Netizens also called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin, Jr. to make another move, as he is “supposedly in Beijing now as a guest of China.”

Netizens also called out Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xiliang for essentially lying through his teeth after claiming that the hundreds of vessels on Julian Felipe Reef were nothing more than fishing vessels.

He added that they were “hiding from rough waters” in the middle of the sea, yet satellite images in the area show no signs of rough weather in the contested waters between now and when they were first spotted back on March 7, 2021.

To date, no firm actions outside of what has transpired today made by the Philippine government.

Locsin lodged many diplomatic protests, which Beijing largely ignored based on their lack of response.

Duterte and the Department of National Defense have also insisted on a more “diplomatic approach” as they allege that the AFP does not have the firepower to go to war versus China.

AFPChiara Zambranoduterteforeign policyJulian Felipe Reefnagkabayag din sa wakaswest philippine sea

Written by Andronico Del Rosario

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