Erwin Tulfo now calls for ceasefire in 'word war'' with China

Days after delivering a fiery speech telling Chinese diplomats to “leave the country,” Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday struck a more conciliatory tone, calling for a “ceasefire” in the ongoing “word war” between Philippine and Chinese officials.

According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” Tulfo said both parties need to tone down their rhetoric to allow negotiations on the crafting of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea to move forward.

“We can just [declare a] ceasefire muna habang ongoing ang negotiations at dialogue diyan po sa COC, lalo na po’t tinatapos pa ang Code of Conduct,” Tulfo said.

(“Perhaps we can declare a ceasefire in the meantime while negotiations and dialogue on the COC are ongoing.”)

Tulfo, who has recently assumed the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, met with Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro to seek an update on the ongoing talks.

The Philippines has been pushing for the Code of Conduct to establish rules on resolving maritime disputes, preventing misunderstandings, and guiding the conduct of claimant states in contested areas.

Quoting Lazaro, Tulfo said progress on the Code of Conduct negotiations has stalled.

“To my understanding, at base sa explanation ng secretary ng DFA, dahil doon sa rhetoric ng parehong grupo—yung banatan—mukhang natigil, natengga ang pag-aayos ng Code of Conduct. Ang target natin, hopefully, in ten months matatapos ’yan,” Tulfo said.

(“Based on the DFA Secretary’s explanation, progress on the Code of Conduct has stalled due to the exchange of rhetoric. Our target is to hopefully complete it within ten months.”)

Tulfo said his office remains open to dialogue with the Chinese Embassy, adding that, according to Lazaro, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan is also open to talks.

GMA Integrated News is reaching out to Lazaro for comment.

Recently, a resolution condemning the Chinese Embassy over its public statements against the Philippine government was filed in the Senate.

Tulfo said the resolution can no longer be withdrawn, noting that the Senate has the authority to pursue such measures.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/MCG, GMA Integrated News