Senator Francis Pangilinan on Saturday, August 29, urged the country’s defense and military officials to speak up and back the proposed actions against the Chinese companies involved in China’s militarization and reclamation activities in the West Philippines Sea.Pangilinan issued the call as he expressed apparent support for Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
“We had expressed our serious reservations regarding the national security implications of these China state owned projects. Chinese Anti-Espionage and national intelligence laws compel Chinese corporations to cooperate with and participate in the gathering of information by the State,” Pangilinan said in a text message.
The United States recently blacklisted 24 Chinese firms and some individuals for their involvement in the militarization of the South China Sea.