FORMER Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. urged the public to speak up and be vigilant amid China's claims of the West Philippine Sea.

Pimentel, who was in Cagayan de Oro City over the weekend, said there is nothing wrong with having friendly relations with China "as long as they do not meddle with how we run our country."

He said it is important that the sovereignty of the country must be respected.

"Aware kita nga ang pakighigala sa China, dili man daotan, pero bantayan nato ang atong mga katungod, atong mga teritoryo dili mahimo nga ila nalang angkunon," he said.

Pimentel said the public should be watchful of the offers and investments from China, saying the government must ensure that Filipino workers will be prioritized in implementing these projects.

"Bantayan nato nga dili sila mao ang mo-direct sa mga proyekto kay sa akong nabal-an, gusto nila nga ang mga trabahante, gikan sa China. Unsaon nalang atong mga tao? Mao kana nga kinahanglan ang buhaton sa gobyerno nakasandig sa gusto sa katawhan, so kinanglan mutingog kita," he added.

Pimentel was in Cagayan de Oro on Sunday, June 30, to grace the inaugural ceremony of the newly-elected city officials and the soft opening of his pet project, the Cagayan de Oro Convention Center.