Sara Duterte: Discuss PH-China maritime tension via ‘diplomatic channels’

Vice President Sara Duterte said on Tuesday that the tension between the Philippines and China in the highly-contested West Philippine Sea should be discussed through proper “diplomatic channels.”

Duterte said the ongoing tension between Manila and Beijing in the WPS should not overshadow the relations of the two countries. 

“Meron tayong arbitral award, nanalo na tayo doon. That is clear, nakita ‘yan ng buong mundo. We need to assert that through diplomatic channels. Because the harassment in the West Philippine Sea, it does not comprise the entire relationship natin sa China. Meron naman tayong problema sa iba’t-ibang bansa, hindi lang sa China,” she said in a press briefing.

(We have the arbitral award, we already won there. That is clear, the whole world saw that. We need to assert that through diplomatic channels, sit down [for talks]. Because the harassment in the West Philippine Sea, it does not comprise the entire relationship we have with China. We also have problems with various other countries, not just with China."

The Vice President said the tension should not further escalate in the sea.  

“Pero ang ginagawa natin ay dinadaan natin sa Department of Foreign Affairs, umuupo yan sila doon, pinag uusapan nila ‘yan doon. So yaan yung karapat dapat na gawin ng isang gobyerno kapag mayroon silang problema sa ibang bansa, hindi lang sa China, it has to go through the diplomatic channels. Pinaguusapan ‘yan. Hindi ‘yan pinaglalaban doon sa dagat,” Duterte added. 

(But what we are doing is we let the Department of Foreign Affairs do the work, they sit down and discuss it there. So that is the appropriate thing for a government to do when they have a problem with another country, not just with China, it has to go through diplomatic channels. That should be discussed. It is not fought over there in the sea.) 

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard sad Chinese vessels, including warships, blocked and performed dangerous maneuvers against Philippine ships during the distribution of subsidies to Filipino fishers near Bajo de Masinloc and Escoda Shoal. 

On Sunday, the China Coast Guard (CGG) fired water cannons against two vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Pag-asa Island according to the PCG. — RF, GMA Integrated News