Is China bullying PHL? Lorenzana says: The way they took over Scarborough Shoal, that’s bullying

"The way they took over Scarborough Shoal... to me that was bullying."

This was what Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday when asked if he believes that China has been bullying the Philippines over territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Lorenzana's remark was in relation to the recent Pulse Asia survey saying that most Filipinos distrust China following the ramming incident in Recto Bank. He noted that Filipinos trust the United States more than China because the former, according to him, is not bullying the Philippines.

"Natural...siyempre magdududa mga tao... whereas 'yung US mataas 'yung trust rating because di naman tayo binubully ng US eh. Hindi naman tayo inabuso. Ganon 'yun eh," Lorenzana said at a press briefing.

"Until such time masabi ko na that the behavior of Chinese will match their rhetoric then the low trust of Filipino will continue," he added.

Lorenzana underscored that China's remarks about maritime issues in the West Philippine Sea do not match the country's activities on the ground.

"They're saying they want peace in South China Sea but it does not match what they are doing on the ground. 'Yun 'yung kinukuwestiyon ko noon na sinasabi nila na we (China) do not bully people around, we follow international law. But sabi ko, what you are telling is not what you are doing on the ground," Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana expressed doubt if China's words about maintaining peace and stability in the contested region was genuine, noting that China may have mentioned that to keep Filipinos calm about the issue.

"Siguro until such time that action is match by the words, then doubtful ang mga sinasabi nila. Parang optics lang 'yan... narrative lang siguro 'yan just to keep us calm o pampalubag-loob sa atin," he said.

"The bottomline is hindi magkatugma 'yung sinasabi nila sa ginagawa nila sa West Philippine Sea," Lorenzana said.

The Defense chief's remark came a day after Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua insisted that China is "firm with adhering to the policy of peaceful settlement" as regards issues in the West Philippine Sea.

"Despite the differences we have, we are ready to discuss with claimants over the differences we have. We always believe law is much better than confrontation," Zhao said in a speech at the reception of the 92nd anniversary of the People's Liberation Army. — RSJ, GMA News