MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Malacañang to immediately summon the Chinese ambassador and demand an end to any plans to construct a so-called “marine nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), calling the move a “desperate attempt to cement illegal occupation in Philippine territory.”

“This is a desperate attempt to cement illegal occupation in Philippine territory,” Hontiveros said in a statement, adding that Beijing’s declaration is “the height of hypocrisy” given what she described as repeated destruction of marine ecosystems by China to build artificial islands and military installations.

Hontiveros said she recently filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 85, urging the Executive to seek more than ?300 billion in reparations from China for the alleged destruction of the Philippines’ natural resources, and urged Malacañang to act on the measure “alang-alang man lang sa ating mga mangingisda.”

She stressed that Filipino fisherfolk have long depended on the waters of Bajo de Masinloc for their livelihoods and warned that they are being blocked from approaching the area because of the Chinese presence. “Our government has to ensure that our fisherfolk retain access to their traditional fishing grounds. We have to maintain a constant presence in the area, and assertively patrol our waters. We have to know the movements of each and every Chinese vessel in the area and actively assist Filipino fishing boats,” she said.

Hontiveros invoked the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), saying Bajo de Masinloc is Philippine territory “legally, historically, and morally.” “No amount of dredging, building, or bullying can erase this fact,” she said.

She called on the government to “pull out all the stops,” noting the President’s repeated promise that the Philippines will not cede any territory, and urged the administration to prove it. “Singilin natin sya sa pangakong yan. Patunayan niyang wala tayong isusukong teritoryo ng bansa,” Hontiveros said.