House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Sunday (December 31) chided China for spreading lies against Philippine to avoid heavy criticisms from the international community.

In a press statement, Castro made this observation as China escalated its tirades against the small country that has voiced out growing concern over the continued bullying and harassment its fishermen experience over the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

"China is again spewing lies to counter the international backlash it is now under due to the exposure of its aggressive and dangerous actions in the West Philippine Sea," said the opposition lawmaker.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. noted there appeared to be no nation sympathizing with China for its actions in the WPS. The world power has claimed the widest part of the area, including parts that are covered by Philippines exclusive economic zone.

Media reports have indicated that thihs week alone, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of National Defense (MND) issued separate statements to assert Beijing’s “undisputable claim” to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which are well within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"Yet again, China is using its delusional claims to Ayungin Shoal and Panatag Shoal, when no country in the world recognizes its claim on these areas which are well within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philipines. No stretch of the imagination can change that,” Castro pointed out.

"The issue of the South China Sea is also not a mere bilateral issue because the area is a main shipping lane for many countries. There are also numerous claimants on the different part of the South China Sea like Taiwan (Republic of China/ROC), Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam,” she said.

The teacher solon added: “These already debunk China's supposed 'undisputable' claim now add to this the 2016 arbitral ruling and China's claim goes straight to the trash bin," said the Deputy Minority leader.

According to her China’s insistence that its maritime and naval forces have been professional and responsible in their conduct cannot withstand the truth that these forces have been “professional and responsible” only in ramming, bombarding and using LRAD against other vessels, particularly those of the Philippines.

"While we believe that the US and other Western powers should not interfere in the South China Sea issue to foster more tension in the area. Claimant countries can band together and assert their claim as a block against China. We do not need bullies to fight another bully. What we need is international cooperation with like minded countries," ended Rep. Castro