By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Friday reiterated that the Philippines will not be deterred in its efforts to defend its territorial and maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea, despite China’s statement labeling Manila as a “disruptor and troublemaker” in the region.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that while the Philippines cannot stop China from “making its own narrative,” Beijing cannot also stop Manila from “fighting for our rights based on laws, UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), arbitral ruling, and for our being [an] independent country.”
The Palace’s response comes after the Chinese Ministry of Defense accusing the Philippines as “acting recklessly at the behest of external powers” following its recent Exercise ALON drills with Australia.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Sec. Ma. Theresa Lazaro, during a Senate hearing Thursday, said the Philippines will continue its diplomatic approach in addressing issues on the West Philippine Sea.
This as Sen. Erwin Tulfo urged the government to rethink its stance on the “One China” Policy—which recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the “sole legal government of China”—amid Beijing’s aggression in the contested waters, stressing that the country seems to be allowing itself “to be bullied in the name of diplomacy.”
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Chair, Sen. Imee Marcos, likewise noted that the Philippines’ diplomatic protests have gone largely ignored by China.
In a statement Friday, Lazaro said the government is “clear and unwavering” in its One China Policy, reiterating that the 1975 Joint Communiqué between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China “remains a cornerstone of our longstanding bilateral relationship.”
The DFA added that the Philippines does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, despite maintaining economic and people-to-people engagements with the island.
“Given our geographical proximity and the presence of approximately 200,000 Filipinos working and residing in Taiwan, the Philippines has a direct interest in peace and stability in the region,” Lazaro stated.
“We therefore continue to call for restraint and dialogue. We leave it to the Chinese people to resolve Cross-Strait matters,” she added.
Malacañang also defended the government’s foreign policy, emphasizing that diplomacy does not mean weakness.
“Ang katapangan ay hindi nadadaan sa buntalan. Ang pagiging diplomatic ay hindi nagpapakita ng kahinaan,” Castro said.
“Ang direktiba ng Pangulo ay diplomacy at rule-based approach. At sinabi rin naman ng Pangulo na we are not waging any war, at sinabi rin niya na hindi tayo uurong sa anumang labanan,” she added.
-jpv
