It is reassuring to note that the government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) which is the official and legitimate source of information and opinions on the subject of the conflicting claims in the South China Sea (SCS), has assured that its communication channels with China are open and working.
In a briefing this week, the department spokesman Rogelio Villanueva said, “Even as the DFA deepens alliances and partnerships with like-minded countries, it also maintains open lines of communication with the Chinese side in pursuit of candid, constructive dialogue and practical cooperation.”
This jives well with Malacañang Palace’s perceived turn around which was consummated by Undersecretary Claire Castro, to wit: she had said that President Bongbong Marcos supports the actuations, pronouncements and incendiary stance of Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Coast Guard. Tarriela has made a career of China bashing while appearing to be patriotic and reasonable.
The next day, Castro said the President rejects declaring Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan an unwelcome person and Marcos in fact has doused cold water to the suggestion of some senators that Jing should be replaced.
Now, here again is Claire Castro behind the microphone, but this time appears sober and a little less combative.
Responding to the question of a reporter, Castro said the Philippines and China must maintain “friendly” and “healthy” communication despite disagreements.
The latest statement from Claire Castro was in response to the Chinese embassy’s warning that the escalation of tension and political rhetoric won’t do any good. The embassy noted that calls to replace Jing could jeopardize millions of Filipino jobs.
This again stoked the fire and brimstones in the breasts of pro-American senators, led by the feisty Riza Hontiveros and the now fact-twisting guru Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, known before for his mechanical “Noted” comments in the House of Representatives sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, on every manifestation of presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.
We hope that President Bongbong maintains this friendly attitude towards letting the official lines of communications with China work, instead of the boastful braggadocio of Jay Tarriela, former Justice Carpio, and the American cabal.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the Philippines and the US have recently committed to ramp up the deployment of “US cutting-edge missile and unmanned systems” in the country. Also, according to Reuters, the Philippines recently held separate bilateral talks with the United States and Canada on maritime issues.
These developments are worth monitoring.
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