MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – President Rodrigo Duterte’s dismissive statement on the Recto (Reed) Bank incident has left Filipinos “heartbroken,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Tuesday, June 18.
Lacson and other senators on Wednesday expressed disappointment over Duterte’s first-ever statement on Philippine fishing boat Gem-Ver that was sunk – and abandoned – by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) on June 9.
“The President broke his silence and left us heartbroken,” Lacson tweeted a day after Duterte echoed China’s position by downplaying the Philippine boat sinking that took place in Philippine territory as just a “maritime incident.”
The senator did not buy Duterte’s insistence that any other action would trigger war with China, and cited the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States as a deterrent.
“He forgot to explore all resources available before exercising his last option of surrender. The MDT is one yet untapped weapon. I am not suggesting World War 3 but at least it can make China feel the balance of power in the WPS,” Lacson said in his tweet.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was the latest top US official to assure the Philippines of assistance in case China attacks its vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea. (READ: Pompeo visit: Philippines gets timely assurance from oldest ally)
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said in a statement that the Duterte government was muddling the issue by focusing its investigation on whether or not the ramming of the F/B Gem-Ver was intentional. (READ: PH boat sinking ‘simple,’ blown ‘out of proportion’ – Piñol)