MANILA, Philippines — Nagkaisa ang sari-saring political party leaders sa Kamara na mailipat ang kontrobersyal na confidential at intelligence funds sa mga ahensya ng gobyernong nagdepensa sa West Philippine Sea.
Ito ang saad ng Nationalist People's Coalition, Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party, PDP-Laban, National Unity Party at Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. sa isang joint statement nitong Miyerkules.
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"We, the respective heads of political parties in the House of Representatives, view with serious concern the installation of a floating barrier by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the Southeast of Bajo de Masinloc Shoal," sabi sa pahayag.
"This action not only impedes the rights of livelihoods of our Filipino fishermen but also disrupts the prevailing atmosphere of regional peace and collaboration."
"Given recent provocative incidents in the contested areas, we have decided to reallocate — as part of the budget process — confidential and intelligence funds [CIF] to other agencies chifly responsible for intelligence and surveillance."
Nagkasundo ang mga political party leaders sa Kamara na ilipat ang confidential at intelligence funds sa mga security agency na tumutugon sa umiinit na tensyon sa West Philippine Sea.
Mas paglalaanan ng pondo ang NICA, NSA, Philippine Coast Guard at BFAR @News5PH @onenewsph pic.twitter.com/UFwAVWpMOy— Marianne Enriquez (@mariannenriquez) September 27, 2023
Kabilang sa gusto malipatan ng CIF ang sumusunod:
- National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)
- National Security Council (NSC)
- Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
Inilabas ang panawagang ito isang araw matapos ilinaw ni PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), CG Commodore Jay Tarriela na P118.7 milyon lang ang pinagsamang CIF ng Coast Guard simula para noong 2006.
I would like to update and provide the accurate information regarding the @coastguardph intelligence fund since 2006. The total amount of the confidential and intelligence funds that the PCG received for the past 17 years is 118.7 million pesos, not 117 million pesos as… pic.twitter.com/HMkTAFXgqj
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) September 26, 2023
Mas maliit 'di hamak ang pondo ito kaysa sa P125 milyong confidential funds ng Office of Vice President, bagay na sinasabing inubos noong 2022 sa loob lang ng 11 araw.
Pagtanggal ng Coast Guard sa 'barriers'
Binigyang pugay din ng mga nabanggit na political leaders ang PCG sa mabilis nitong pagtanggal sa floating barriers na inilagay ng Chinese Coast Guard sa BDM (Scarborough Shoal), ito habang pumapalag sa pang-aangkin ng Beijing.
Ginagawa ito ng Tsina kahit na binalewala na ng Permanent Court of Arbitration noong 2016 ang nine-dash line claim, bagay na ginagamit ng Asian giant para angkinin ang West Philippine Sea na parte ng exclusive economic zone ng Maynila.
"Recognizing the rising security threats in the West Philippine Sea and the need to secure top officials, these agencies are better positioned to counteract security threats, protect our territorial waters, and secure the rights and access of FIlipino fishermen to traditional fishing grounds," dagdag nila.
"In conclusion this united stance is a testament to our commitment to uphold the principles of democracy, prioritize the needs of the Filipino people, and ensure the prudent and rational use of the nation's resources."
Nangyayari ang lahat ng ito ilang araw lang matapos maibalita ang walang habas na pangunguha diumano ng Tsina sa mga corals ng Rozul Reef kung saan una nang nakita ng PCG ang sandamakmak na patay na yamang-dagat. — may mga ulat mula sa News5