By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With talks about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) gaining prominence in the political discourse, Malacañang reiterated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s firm but diplomatic stance on this pressing national concern.
This, in response to recent pronouncements made by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan, condemning Senate Resolution No. 256, as well as the East Asian nation’s imposition of persona non grata on 16 Kalayaan, Palawan local government unit (LGU) officials, prohibiting them from entering mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
At a briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the President values freedom of speech and expression amid China’s pronouncements against Philippine lawmakers.
Usec. Castro told the media, “Ang Pangulo po kasi ay rumerespeto sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag. Kung may kalayaan po ang China sa kanilang pamamahayag, ganun din naman po ang sinuman na Pilipino at kung anuman din po ang inihayag ng Senado.”
She said when asked about the travel ban on 16 Kalayaan LGU officials, “Kung anuman po ang naging desisyon at polisiya ng China ay hindi naman po natin ito saklaw. Katulad din po ng hindi nila dapat masaklawan kung anuman ang nagiging desisyon ng administrasyon na ito.”
The Malacañang mouthpiece, moreover, emphasized that President Marcos Jr. remains a believer in using proper legal and diplomatic channels as conduits to settle any disputes that may arise between Beijing and Manila.
Usec. Castro concluded her remarks by declining to issue any further comment on the Malacañang stance in this unfolding development, deferring the other queries from the media to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
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