By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Wednesday, March 27, criticized those who questioned her sister’s – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte – silence on China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
The lawmaker, who defended his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, amid the grace threats case filed against him, spoke up for his sister after the Akbayan Party called out the Vice President for “turning a blind eye” to Filipino vessels bullied in their own waters.
“It is not the job of the Vice President or the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) to demonize China or any country for that matter,” Rep. Duterte said.
Rep. Duterte said the question on the actions of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea should be directed to the chief architect of foreign policy, the Secretary of National Defense, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
“As we pause and pray this holy week and reflect on the savior Jesus Christ as he is nailed to the cross, we shall also reflect on why you nail everything to the Vice President,” he said.
Two Chinese coast guards sprayed a Philippine vessel with water cannons on Saturday, causing injuries to multiple Filipino navy crew members and damaging their wooden vessel, which is believed to be the most severe clash between the two nations in the volatile waters.
Philippines strongly protested against Beijing and summoned China’s representative in Manila after the incident.
China’s foreign ministry defended its coast guard’s actions, suggesting that the Philippines should have moved BRP Sierra Madre earlier.
Rep. Duterte encouraged everyone to pray for a peaceful holy week for the country that is not disrupted by “press propaganda of Akbayan.”