By Alec Go
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Monday night (May 17) advised President Rodrigo Duterte to respond to the territorial dispute with China with a peaceful approach and to ignore critics of his foreign policy.
Similar to his statement released earlier on Facebook, Enrile reiterated that a hard and more aggressive stance is not feasible considering the country’s current circumstances.
“Hindi natin kailangan ang mainit na ulo sa bagay na ‘yan, sapagkat malaki ang kaugnayan hindi lamang sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas, kundi sa seguridad ng ating bansa,” he told Duterte during the latter’s public address.
“Kung hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa Tsina ay madadamay ang interes ng ating mga kababayan, ang ating ekonomiya, pati na rin ang ating seguridad,” he added.
Enrile said the country “cannot afford to antagonize China” since it has improved in terms of technology, unlike during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos when China’s forces were not yet as strong.
“Sa palagay ko, sa panahon ngayon ay walang bansa na pwedeng makaya ang China. Kaya tama ang posture ninyo na kausapin ang China sa bagay na ito,” he said, noting that there is “no choice except to negotiate” as the Philippines will “lose more” if it goes against China.
“We get what we can get from China on WPS [West Philippine Sea], use it to strengthen our military capability and exploit Benham Rise…We must do everything to avoid irritating China or giving China a reason to deal with our core territory because our core territory is very important to China,” Enrile advised.
He also urged the Chief Executive to ignore his critics and to just “mind history and the Filipino people.”
Don’t rely on foreign help
The former justice secretary and defense chief suggested that the government should invest in improving its capabilities because allied countries also have their own domestic and foreign problems.
“Dapat ang bansa nating Pilipinas, sa inyong liderato, ay gawing malakas ang ating kakayahan na manindigan ng sarili, sapagkat dito sa mundo na ito ngayon, hindi tayo maaaring umasa sa ating mga kaalyado,” he said.
Even if the United Nations (UN) issues a resolution on the matter, Enrile said the UN will still seek assistance from the United States to implement it. Both officials said the UN has no police power to enforce the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines over China.
Trillanes backdoor deal
Enrile recalled his meeting during the last administration with former President Benigno Aquino III and other officials, including former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and then-Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario regarding Scarborough Shoal.
“Mukhang nagkaroon ng alitan doon. Sinabi ni Trillanes na nagpunta siya sa Tsina at kinausap niya ang mga namumuno sa Tsina tungkol sa bagay na… sa problema na ‘yon,” he narrated.
He said Trillanes claimed he “had authority” and was backed by Aquino.
“Sinabi ko kay Presidente Aquino na dahan-dahan, Mr. President. Medyo masalimuot yata ‘yan sapagkat hindi natin alam anong pinag-usapan ni Trillanes so sa mga kinakausap niya sa Tsina,” he said.
He added that former Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Brady eventually sent him a letter through Del Rosario complaining that she was being bypassed by Trillanes.
Enrile said it remains a mystery as to how former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had connections in Beijing or how he was “able to reach out to the higher ups” when he was repeatedly travelling to China.
“Of the senators who were incumbent at that time, why was Trillanes selected as the negotiator for Aquino? Where did Trillanes get the influence over some authorities in Beijing in those days?” he questioned.
Malacañang said early on Monday that the President invited Enrile to speak on the West Philippine Sea dispute which includes the possible involvement of Trillanes in the loss of Scarborough Shoal in 2012.
“It’s for Philippine history. Kasi hanggang ngayon, hindi natin alam kung ano ang naging papel ni Senator Trillanes, kung ano iyong nilalaman ng tinatawag na ‘Brady notes’,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. -jlo
