Esperon urges other actions on top of protests in West Philippine Sea

The Philippines' diplomatic protests against China over the incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) must with come with other courses of action, outgoing National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon has said.

According to Chino Gaston’s Report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, Esperon said protests must be accompanied by other measures to show the world that the country was willing to fight for its sovereignty in the WPS.

“Hindi naman madadala 'yan sa 280 na protests. We simply have to assert ourselves by way of diplomatic action or what are other instruments of national power—military, informational, economic, political and legal, intelligence, and we might include the people’s support,” Esperon said.

(That cannot be taken in 280 protests. We simply have to assert ourselves by way of diplomatic action or what are other instruments of national power — military, informational, economic, political and legal, intelligence, and we might include the people’s support.)

There are more than 200 diplomatic protests filed by the country.

In March, the Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest because of the swarming of Chinese fishing boats on the Julian Felipe Reef within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

He said that it would be a big challenge for the administration of President-elect “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to deal with the problem caused by the territorial dispute in the WPS.

“With China, we also have trade. Other economic matters, tourism, defense, cultural exchanges. So kakalimutan na ba natin yun dahil mayroon tayong hindi pagkakaunaawaan diyan sa South China Sea?” Esperon added.

(With China, we also have trades, and other economic matters—tourism, defense, cultural exchanges. So will we forget that because we have a misunderstanding there in the South China Sea?) —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News