Inihain ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros ang panukalang Senate Resolution No. 892 na humihiling sa kanyang mga kabaro sa Senado na imbestigahan ang sinasabing “gentleman’s agreement” sa pagitan nila dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Chinese President Xi Jingpin na nagsisilbing hadlang sa pagsasaayos ng BRP Sierra Madre sa West Philippine Sea.
“While China, in any case, will most likely attack our resupply missions en route to Ayungin, this sham of an agreement only gave Beijing more ammunition to assert her baseless claims,” sabi ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
“Kung totoo ang kasunduan, mukhang isinuko nga ni Duterte ang teritoryo ng Pilipinas,” giit ni Hontiveros.
Ito ay matapos aminin ng dating presidential spokesman ni Duterte na si Atty. Harry Roque isang “gentleman’s agreement” ang namagitan kina Tatay Digong at President Xi na hindi magdadala ang mga barko ng Pilipinas ng construction materials sa BRP Sierra Madre upang hindi magkaroon ng expansion work sa ibinalahurang World War II vintage vessel.
“By virtue of the said agreement, the Philippines effectively agreed to desist from bringing in construction materials to fority the rusting and dilapidated Sierra Madre,” nakasaad sa resolusyon.
“Without repairs to the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II era warship, the vessel would soon collapse and, in the words of former Justice Antonio Carpio, ‘end our presence in Ayungin Shoal’,” giit ni Hontiveros, sponsor ng SR 892.