00:00 A lawmaker says a water cannon attack from the Chinese Coast Guard such as this one on
00:05 Philippine vessels should not happen again.
00:08 "We know that there is no water.
00:11 We are just poor.
00:13 We are just like the fish there.
00:16 We just avoid it.
00:17 There is no water."
00:18 Under the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippines and the U.S. should come to each other's
00:22 rescue in case of an armed attack from another party.
00:27 But in China's use of water cannons on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on August
00:31 5, "It's not an armed attack.
00:32 It's a water attack.
00:33 That's why the Mutual Defense Treaty cannot be activated.
00:34 We fought water to water, but we did not become poor."
00:43 Experts warn against making light of the situation.
00:46 "We are like children who use water pistols.
00:50 I don't think it will do anything about the situation really.
00:55 It's trivializing the issue.
00:57 It's not simply a matter of dosing water.
00:59 The Chinese are preventing us from providing a resupply.
01:03 The first place they should not be there.
01:04 Those are international waters."
01:06 In a Senate hearing last week, Defense Undersecretary Ireneo Espino said Chinese ships swarming in
01:12 Ayungin Shoal can be considered a blockade.
01:16 International Studies Professor Renato De Castro says blocking the supply of food, water
01:21 and other necessities to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre has implications on the Mutual
01:26 Defense Treaty.
01:27 "By using water cannon and dangerous maneuver, they're conducting a blockade.
01:28 A blockade is an act of war.
01:29 We could already invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty."
01:37 But invoking the longstanding military deal needs consultation with the United States.
01:43 For now, maritime expert Jay Batong-Bacal says sturdier vessels should conduct the resupply
01:48 missions.
01:49 "The reason why they use that water cannon is because the boat is vulnerable.
01:54 Wooden boat, open the side.
01:56 They can easily be discouraged with water cannon.
01:59 So use a vessel that can't be destroyed."
02:02 Senate Minority Leader Coco Pimentel says the country should be able to anticipate and
02:07 prepare for China's actions.
02:08 "Take advantage of the fact that the contested or the involved area is closer to what we
02:20 call Philippine mainland.
02:22 So AFP and Philippine Coast Guard should know what I mean."
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