DE-ESCALATING TENSIONS. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong shake hands during the 9th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila on July 2, 2024. The Philippines and China have reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea following the confrontation near Ayungin Shoal on June 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of DFA)
MANILA – Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday defended the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after reaching a new deal with China regarding the Philippine government's resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.
This is after Beijing claimed that the Philippines has agreed to inform the Chinese government in advance when conducting a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
At a press briefing, Escudero said it is up to the DFA to elaborate on the arrangement.
"We were not there but as best as we can, we will serve as a bridge... as I said earlier over, hindi ako marunong kumanta (I don't know how to sing)... as the bridge over these troubled waters that we currently have in relation to the West Philippine Sea," Escudero said.
"Bersyon nila ‘yon. Ang importante nagkaroon ng kasunduan. Unawain natin may kanya-kanyang domestic audience ang China at ang Pilipinas (That's their version. What matters is that they have reached an agreement. Please understand that China and the Philippines each has their own domestic audience)," he added.
Whatever their version is, Escudero assured the public that the Senate will always side with the DFA.
"Ayaw mo nun? Nagkasundo na kahit papaano kaysa naman nag-aaway (Don't you want that? They reached an agreement which is better than having a conflict)," he said.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Senator Francis Tolentino urged the DFA to disclose to the public the contents of the agreement.
“I take this opportunity to appeal to DFA Secretary [Enrique] Manalo to publicly disclose the contents of the provisional agreement signed between the Philippines and China. This deal should be transparent, and not shrouded in secrecy,” Tolentino said in a news release.
He stressed the importance of being able to deliver food and medicine for Filipino soldiers but emphasized that the government must also ensure that Philippine sovereignty is not being compromised by the deal. (PNA)
