By Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana believes that China will keep its word on not firing the proverbial “first shot” amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
In a radio interview with DZBB Wednesday, the defense chief attributes this to the fact that 85 percent of China’s fuel oil from the Middle East passes through the said waterway.
Aside from this, a huge percentage of China’s trade exports are transported through this route, along with majority of its raw material imports.
“Naniniwala ako kasi siguro dahil ayaw naman nilang magkagulo dyan sa West Philippine Sea or South China (Sea), ang sabi nya, ang paliwanag nga ni Ambassador Zhao Jianhua sabi nya bakit namin gugustuhin na magkakagulo diyan sa South China Sea eh dyan dumadaan yung 85 percent ng aming oil galing sa Middle East, about 65 percent ng aming product na lumalabas ay diyan dumadaan, pati yun mga materials (nila), (dun pumapasok sa) kanila (I believe these remarks because I’m sure they don’t want trouble in the West Philippine Sea or South China (Sea). As they have said, citing the explanation of Ambassador Zhao Jianhua, why would they want to have trouble in the South China Sea when 85 percent of our oil from which we import from the Middle East as well as 65 percent of our exports pass through these waters),” Lorenzana said.
He added that such pronouncements are very “comforting” as this means that China won’t act aggressively.
During the 92nd founding anniversary celebration of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Makati on Monday, Zhao stressed China’s principle of “defense, self-defense and post-strike response.”
“China adopts a military strategy of active defense, which adheres to the principle of defense, self-defense and post-strike response. Meaning we will not take the first shot,” he added.
Zhao said China develops its military to defend the country, provide the people with a peaceful environment, and ensure its citizens are free from disasters and calamities of war.
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