MANILA, Philippines (Update 1, 12:03 p.m.) — The Chinese Embassy in Manila criticized the call of Sen. Risa Hontiveros that Beijing should shoulder the Philippine government’s expenses in responding to the escalating coronavirus crisis.

Hontiveros on Wednesday said China owes the country some P200 billion as a compensation for damaging the reef ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea. The opposition senator added the reparation should be used to fund efforts to slow the spread of the contagion and extend assistance to families affected by the crisis.

“The government already has a huge budget deficit because of COVID-19… The government should demand what is rightfully ours and use this to help the Filipino people battle COVID-19,” she said.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said: “At this trying time, it is ridiculously absurd and irresponsible to make such remarks for the sole purpose of catching eyeballs and for selfish political gains.”

The Chinese Embassy insisted that Beijing and Manila are “friendly neighbors across the sea” as it vowed to continue providing assistance to the Philippines.

‘My previous statement stands’

Hontiveros on Thursday stood firm on her demand that China should foot the Philippines’ coronavirus response.

“My previous statement stands: China must pay at least 200 billion pesos in reparations for the damages it has caused in the reef ecosystems for the past six years in the West Philippine Sea,” she said.

The lawmaker hit back at the Chinese Embassy, saying it is “more absurd and irresponsible” that Beijing has continued to violate Philippine sovereignty in the region in the middle of a global pandemic.

In March, while countries across the globe are preoccupied with battling the coronavirus pandemic, China built two research stations on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) and Subi Reefs in Spratly Islands.

China’s state council approved the establishment of the Paracel (Xisha) and Spratly (Nansha) in the West Philippine Sea as districts under Sansha City, the country’s Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Saturday.

“China cannot claim to be a friendly ‘neighbor across the sea’ when it has continued its land reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea,” Hontiveros said.

“Friends help each other out, not occupy their islands and destroy their reefs,” she added.

The virus that originated in Chinese city of Wuhan late last year has already infected over 2.6 million people worldwide and killed 183,120. In the Philippines, 6,710 COVID-19 infections have been detected with the death toll sitting at 446. — Gaea Katreena Cabico