Sotto eyes removal of word ‘condemning’ from West Philippine Sea resolution

For Senate President Vicente Sotto III, the word “condemning” should not be used in the Senate resolution filed to denounce China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a radio interview Saturday, Sotto said he will support the resolution filed by 11 senators, principally authored by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, but with amendments.

“‘Yung iba sa amin with amendments, like for example… ang resolution natin ay sinusuportahan natin ang posisyon ng Department of Foreign Affairs at tsaka ng Department of National Defense. Ayan, okay ‘yan. Pero ‘yung pag gamit nung word na condemning, medyo pinag-aaralan namin mabuti kasi kaibigan mo gagamitin mo ng condemning,” he said.

(Some of us will support the resolution but with amendments. For example, the resolution is supporting the positions of the DFA and the DND. Those words are acceptable but we will still study the use of the word "condemning" because you cannot use that word on a friend.)

“Trading partner natin yan eh. Kung pwedeng wag muna ganoon kadiin dahil pwede naman – pwede namang ano eh, yung posisyon ng DFA, posisyon ng DND, suportahan natin. Ingat lang sa pag gamit ng mga salita,” he added.

(China is our trading partner. If possible, we should not use those strong words because we can say that we support the positions of DFA and DND instead. We should be careful in using words.)

Sotto expressed confidence that China will heed the call of the senators to stop its activities in the WPS.

The Senate President also revealed that he would be playing golf with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian next week.

Earlier, 14 Chinese militia vessels were spotted at the Julian Felipe Reef, which is part of the Philippines EEZ.

Several other Chinese ships and warships remained at the Kalayaan Island Group even after the Philippines' Defense and Foreign Affairs Departments demanded China pull these ships out. — DVM, GMA News