DND slams China’s lies in WPS attack

The Department of National Defense (DND) lashed out at China yesterday for again trying to spread lies to justify how its forces attacked and injured Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea last week.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong branded China as an “abusive neighbor” who keeps distorting the facts and the truth that the Chinese are illegally operating inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“What truly threatens peace is the persistent, unsafe behavior that endangers civilians and demonize any form of resistance against an abusive neighbor,” the DND spokesman said.

Andolong noted that on Dec. 12 in waters near Escoda Shoal, “Filipino fishermen were injured, their boats damaged, and their safety deliberately endangered by water cannons, blocking maneuvers, and the cutting of anchor lines.”