By NG Seruela
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte asserted on Monday (May 10) that the Chinese vaccines were not donated in exchange for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) claim.
President Duterte said at his weekly public briefing amid the Cabinet’s discussion on the controversial issue of the WPS, that even if the country accepted the donated vaccines, giving up the Philippines’ claim was never on the table.
“Binigyan tayo, tinanggap natin, ginamit natin, but it does not mean na tanggapin ko ‘yong bakuna at tapos sabihin ko, kalimutan ko na ‘yong claim diyan sa West Philippine Sea, okay na ‘yon dahil sa bakuna,” he said.
He emphasized that “the world does not operate like that.” He said that China knows, even if it gives plenty of vaccines, that the WPS is not the payment.
“So I said, it’s never wrong to admit a debt of gratitude. But it would be wrong to use it as an excuse to maybe retreat from your — sabi ko, there will be no compromise…This is Philippine national interest, this is not a health issue that nagpasalamat ako,” he said.
The Chief Executive also said he called Chinese President Xi Jinping at the start of the pandemic to ask for help to access vaccines for Filipinos.
“Tumawag ako, sabi ko, ‘Mr. President, I would like to ask for your help. Until now, the Philippines is really at a loss of how to get the vaccines.’ Sabi niya, ‘It’s okay, we will help you.’ Ganoon lang.”
“Hindi naman niya sinabi, ‘Kalimutan mo ‘yong Scarborough Shoal, bibigyan kita.’ Sinabi lang niya na as simple as that. Sabi ko, ‘Thank you, Mr. President.’ ‘It’s okay,’ he said.” -jlo
