By Ken Bornilla
“Vigilance is the price of sovereignty.”
This is the statement of Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana as tensions between China and the Philippines continue amid another “standoff” at the contested territories in the Julian Felipe Reef.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has demanded China to pull out the ships from the reef, but according to reports by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, not a single ship has moved out yet.
China reasoned that their ships are only seeking shelter due to bad weather.
In the Laging Handa Public Briefing of PTV, Ambassador Sta. Romana assured the public that China’s occupation of said waters will be addressed with diplomacy.
Ambassador Sta. Romana pointed out that, “Our goal is to monitor and see what the movement will be on the ground, kasi (because) they assure us na hindi ito magiging permanenteng sitwasyon (that this will not be a permanent situation).”
He also stressed that panicking over this issue is not necessary, but admitted that this is an “issue of concern” for the country.
Sta. Romana also clarified the issue on China’s donation of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines. The government is not bartering and softening the country’s stance on the sovereignty disputes. He explained that this is a “dual track,” where cooperation between the two countries shall prosper, despite having diplomatic problems.
Meanwhile, a US-based tech company reported that China has an ongoing construction activity at the Subi Reef which is a part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The DFA said it is now going over the matter.
