President Benigno Aquino III is on the right track when he issued a gag order on his men about the Philippines’ moves to resolve a three-month-old territorial tiff with China at Panatag Shoal, a senator said Sunday.

But Sen. Joker Arroyo also said Aquino should have convened the National Security Council (NSC) and not just the Cabinet to discuss the matter.

“Maganda ang announcement ni presidente na quiet muna kayo. Alam ninyo naman ang know-it-all diyan, hindi makapigil na hindi magsalita. We should be very careful,” Arroyo, who served as executive secretary under Aquino’s late mother Corazon and is an occasional critic of the younger Aquino, said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said Aquino should now be trusted on his decisions to defuse tension with China involving the territorial row, which has been brewing since April.

The dispute began on April 10 when Philippine forces spotted Chinese fishermen taking marine species from the area, but were blocked by Chinese vessels when they tried to make arrests.

While the Philippines claims sovereignty over the area and also refers to it as Bajo de Masinloc, China also claims the area, referring to it as Huangyan Island.

But, Arroyo said, “When it comes to national security, he should have convened the National Security Council. Why call a Cabinet meeting, do you have a need for the environment or labor secretary when discussing the row with China? Besides, the NSC is composed of the Cabinet, with the secretaries of defense and foreign affairs playing the dominant part.”

Meanwhile, in Malacañang, officials remained mum on the Philippine government’s moves, appealing to the public to wait until concrete steps are taken.

“Hintayin natin 'pag may concrete steps that are being taken, that’s the time we can talk about it," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. — LBG, GMA News