Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla saluted on Tuesday night our soldiers who continue to keep watch over our territory in the West Philippine Sea.
Padilla relayed his appreciation to representatives of the Joint Task Unit in Pagasa Island led by Naval Station Joint Task Unit Commander Lt. Rey Tibay, when they paid a courtesy call on him at the Senate.
“Hindi totoo ang sinasabi ng mga pulitiko nila na napabayaan. Nandoon ang ating AFP. Pati ang mga kalapit na isla may Navy doon. Binabantayan nila yan, pag dumaan ka roon nagraradyo sila kung sino ka (It is not true as some politicians said that we have abandoned our territory. Our Armed Forces of the Philippines is always there, keeping watch),” said Padilla.
“Isang patunay po yan na ang ating Armed Forces ay nandiyan lagi (Our soldiers here are proof that our Armed Forces are always keeping watch there),” added Padilla, who visited Pagasa Island from May 15 to 17 last year.
During Tuesday night’s courtesy call, Padilla received a portrait of his visit to Pagasa Island, a cap of the BRP Mangyan, and two uniforms from the local basketball tournament there: Jersey No. 8 of Team West Philippine Sea; and Jersey No. 88 of Joint Task Unit Pag-Asa.
Padilla likewise received a t-shirt marked “Victor 88,” a reference to the fishing vessel Padilla rode in visiting the West Philippine Sea. “Victor 88” is also the title of the documentary he produced to show the plight of Filipino fishermen in the area.
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