Cayetano: Admin, opposition must discuss strategy on WPS

Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is calling on the present administration and the opposition to develop and agree on a single strategy in dealing with the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

Cayetano, also a former Foreign Affairs secretary, told reporters in Taguig City on Thursday that both parties should not let their emotions control them, because the WPS concern is not a partisan issue.

"Tuwing may sinasabi ang both sides, nakikinig ‘yan, ang China, Vietnam, at Malaysia at inaayos 'yung strategy laban sa atin,” Cayetano said.

[Every time the administration and the opposition talk on the issue, claimant countries are listening and crafting strategies against us.]

“Kapag foreign affairs, hindi puwedeng nababasa noong kabila anong gagawin natin” (In foreign policy matters, competing outside interests should not know about our moves), Cayetano added.

Thus, he recommended that the administration and the opposition should gather in a closed-door meeting to agree on a single strategy to address territorial issues in the disputed sea. 

Cayetano reiterated his proposal for some key government officials and opposition leaders to sit together and agree on a common strategy.    

“Kaya nga ire-reiterate ko ang aking proposal: si Secretary Roque, Secretary Lorenzana, Secretary Locsin, and then si former Associate Justice Carpio, Secretary del Rosario, Senator Trillanes, upuan nila, isa-isahin nila 'yung issue. Dalawa o tatlong araw I think they will agree on maybe 60 or 70%, para 30% na lang ang hindi,” Cayetano said.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently backed out of his challenge to debate with Carpio about the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea.

But presidential spokesman Roque and some Cabinet members advised Duterte against pushing through with the debate as it would have implications on government policies.

Duterte earlier branded the arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines against China's massive claims in the disputed sea as a scrap of paper meant to be thrown in the wastebasket.

Carpio said Duterte's remarks could jeopardize the country's sovereign rights in the region. —LBG, GMA News