A lawmaker called on Wednesday for a congressionl inquiry to determine if the recent collission of the American warship and Chinese war submarine near the Philippine shore actually transpired within the Philippine waters.

This, despite Malacañang's pronouncement earlier that the collision actually took place in the international waters near the Philppine territories.

ABAKADA GURO Party-list Rep. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, author of House Resolution 1244, said the collision and the alleged presence of the two warships in Philippine waters should raise a question on whether the country's sovereign laws on territorial water have been violated.

"The incident could be a total disregard of the country's sovereign laws and rights accorded it by international law," he said.

Dela Cruz said that he is confident the investigation would be able to recommend appropriate actions to protect and uphold the Philippine's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Dela Cruz needs want to know if the American vessel is carrying nuclear weapons.

"The USS John McCain — the warship — failed to give due notice to the Philippine government, if it carries nuclear weapons, which Philippine laws prohibit," he said.

Dela Cruz stressed that the 1987 Constitution prohibits the entry of nuclear weapons in Philippine territory.