DND spots around 20 Chinese ships near Pag-asa Island;

PTVPhilippines

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00:00 "With a country's territory under threat by a foreign aggressor that refuses to honor

00:04 our rightful claim, it is both practical and wise to man every piece of land that we can

00:10 to prevent others from treacherously taking them.

00:13 More so if we are able to establish a barracks or base, which was precisely the objective

00:19 of a groundbreaking ceremony today led by Senators and the Department of National Defense

00:24 in Pagasa Island.

00:26 Daniel Manalastas has the full details."

00:31 These Chinese vessels near Pagasa Island are visibly clear, which the Defense Department

00:36 reckoned were more or less 20 ships or vessels.

00:40 Their presence was cited during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Navy barracks led by the visiting

00:46 Senators.

00:47 Even they said they experienced radio challenges on their way to Pagasa.

00:51 "We don't know, maybe they have a sensitive listening device from their ships.

00:57 I just want to say that they are listening.

01:00 This is the territory of the Republic of the Philippines.

01:06 This is not yours, this is the territory of the Republic of the Philippines.

01:10 Before Magellan arrived, this was already ours.

01:14 So if possible, please leave."

01:16 "Wait, wait, wait, wait, you're going home.

01:21 It's like everyone, even now that we're talking, they're listening.

01:25 So we greet them and we say, this is the Philippines."

01:29 Problems in Pagasa came to light on the Senators who visited the island, like the problems

01:34 on education and health facilities.

01:37 As previously reported, there are no doctors in the island and no doctors on board today

01:43 to visit as well.

01:44 "We tried to request to the DTTB, which is another one through the Department of Health,

01:50 but our two requests were denied.

01:54 Maybe because the population is small, but I hope it can be considered because with our

01:58 unique location, our geographical location, it's really very challenging to go.

02:05 And we don't have a regular commercial vessel that can cater to our patients from Pagasa

02:12 Island."

02:13 "I just help the kids who are studying.

02:14 They go to school, they wear the t-shirts of Nippon.

02:15 Shoes."

02:16 Residents also face the threats of Chinese vessels always on patrol around the island.

02:29 Still, many residents choose to leave the island.

02:32 "But nothing will happen.

02:33 And here, my children also like it.

02:34 It's cheap.

02:35 It's not like down there, every kilo of money.

02:36 Here, they can eat."

02:37 The DND meanwhile has this warning in case some harm befalls these peace-loving and innocent

02:49 Filipinos.

02:50 "They will bleed if they try.

02:52 Because of the growing population of Filipinos, the future generations of Filipinos need the

02:59 resources here in the West Philippine Sea.

03:02 The hope of the Philippines is the West Philippine Sea, so we cannot turn our backs."

03:07 Senators vowed to help improve the island by funding their urgent needs.

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