Galvez: Philippines should 'set aside differences' with China on WPS amid COVID-19 pandemic

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. on Friday said the Philippines should set aside its differences with China on the West Philippine Sea as the global community races to put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Galvez made the statement when Senator Risa Hontiveros asked him if he could assure the public that the government will not give away the country's maritime entitlements in exchange for Chinese vaccines.

"In this pandemic, the global interest of the global commons is really to save humanity. All countries rallied to support each other, so that's the context that we are looking [at] but every country wanted to help [in] our global pandemic," Galvez said at the Senate hearing on government's COVID-19 vaccination program.

"'Yung tinatawag nating differences on the West Philippine Sea should be set aside because this is a global pandemic," he said.

Hontiveros said she was quite surprised with the position of Galvez, a retired military general.

“Medyo nagulat ako sa sinabi na ‘set aside our differences in the West Philippine Sea... Hindi porke’t bibili tayo ng Chinese vaccines o tatanggap tayo ng donasyon at regalo mula sa Tsina ay isasantabi na natin ang ating mga karapatan at teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea," she said.

"Up until now, despite the international community collectively rejecting China’s claims on our seas, China remains resolute in asserting unrightful ownership of our territories," she added.

The opposition senator said the apparently low confidence of the Filipino public on vaccines produced by Chinese firms could also be because of fear on China’s "vaccine diplomacy," which could force other countries to yield to its demands.

Pressed by Hontiveros, Galvez clarified that "[w]e will not compromise our stake," adding that the government's vaccine selection process is science-based.

He said the countries need to help each other, including ensuring equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, and "set aside differences" to end the pandemic.

The West Philippine Sea is the part of the South China Sea included in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration decided there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within parts of the South China Sea  falling within its so-called "nine-dash line."

China refuses to recognize the ruling.—AOL/KBK, GMA News