Netizens reacted to reports of missile-armed Chinese vessels chasing the ABS-CBN News Team in the West Philippine Sea.
ABS-CBN News reporter Chiara Zambrano reported that her team attempted to go to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea to gather information from Filipino fishers about reports of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the turmoil-filled waters. However, a Chinese coast guard vessel blocked their team.
As a result, they decided to turn back towards Palawan with the coast guard vessel on their tails. Then, just as when they thought the coast guard vessel left them alone, two Type-22 (Houbei Class) Fast Attack Crafts, known as a missile-armed vessel, chased the ABS-CBN News team 90 nautical miles from the nearest Palawan shore.
As a result, the incident garnered reactions from Netizens.
Rappler columnist JC Punongbayan wrote that China is intimidating Filipinos within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. He also added that this incident was a result of the Philippine government submitting to China for years.
We're being intimidated and chased by China within our very own EEZ. This is what you get when your gov't submits and acquiesces to China for YEARS. #AtinAngPinas #ChinaLayas #DutertePalpak https://t.co/zFj5ZXuK3j
— JC Punongbayan, PhD (@jcpunongbayan) April 8, 2021
One Netizen cited the arbitration case in 2016, which awarded the Philippines with sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
https://twitter.com/RannieKnows/status/1380139185441366030
Another Netizen posted a description of the missile-armed Type 22 vessels that chased the ABS-CBN News team.
https://twitter.com/crazypascual/status/1380131548289069056
A Netizen called out the missile-bearing vessel of China for their audacity in the incident.
Sa loob ng teritoryo natin, a media outfit was chased by a missile bearing boat of China! The audacity @Chinaembmanila https://t.co/SzNSy12nGB
— MARIAH METAWIN KNOWLES-HONG (@leximetawin) April 8, 2021
Other Netizens also called out the government’s inability to protect the country’s sovereignty amid the recent reports of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
https://twitter.com/reynongian_/status/1380178112772665350
So, how many times does this make where China acted like the own that place and chased away Philippine citizens from within the country's own EEZ?
And I expect that Duterte will still stay silent again on this latest incident involving his "best friend".
— Viktor vonGerdenheim (@ViktorvonGerden) April 8, 2021
On the other hand, Netizens lauded Zambrano and the ABS-CBN News team for their diligence and bravery in reporting.
https://twitter.com/MarlonB1985/status/1380155337672699905
https://twitter.com/_bigbryte/status/1380152394839953419
thank you @chiarazambrano for your (always) diligent and brave reporting https://t.co/XttrUujnvs
— Anj + 15,035,772 (@anjpessumal) April 8, 2021
While Malacañang has no comment on the incident, AFP appealed to journalists to exercise prudence in the course of their job. Notably, the news team conducted the newsgathering within the waters of PH sovereign rights.
According to earlier reports, hundreds of Chinese vessels illegally occupied the Julian Felipe Reef, which enraged Netizens and celebrities on social media.
