Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal staff warned today that hundreds of Chinese ships “invading” Philippine waters in the South China Sea are causing tensions between Manila and Beijing and could lead to a “gunfight. This is the strongest statement from the Philippine presidency in recent times.
Reuters reported that Rodrigo Duterte’s legal adviser, Salvador Panelo, issued a statement saying that the prolonged presence of Chinese vessels in Philippine exclusive economic waters is creating unnecessary tension in bilateral relations and “could lead to a gunfight that neither country wants. “.
Panelo said, “We can consult on topics of mutual concern and bilateral interests, but make no mistake, our sovereignty is not negotiable.”
Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque echoed the sentiment at a press conference, saying, “We will not give an inch to our territory or our exclusive economic waters.”
While there has been a recent spate of strong criticism of China from Philippine diplomats and top generals, Panera’s remarks were the strongest from Duterte’s office. Duterte has always appeared reluctant to antagonize China after accidentally offering goodwill to Beijing when he took office.
The Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest with China on March 22 over the presence of 220 “heavily assembled and threatening” Chinese vessels believed to be carrying militiamen in the waters of Whitsun Reef. The ships have since dispersed to other areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs today also refuted China’s view of NiuYeYe Reef as a traditional fishing ground and said that as long as the Chinese vessels remain in the nearby waters for one day, the Philippines will file a diplomatic protest with Beijing as they “blatantly violate” Philippine jurisdiction.
Panayo also said today that the Philippines will not be fooled by China’s humanitarian actions as it violates international law and the sovereignty of the Philippines. He was referring to China’s donation of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine to the Philippines.
Philippine opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros today demanded that the “intransigent” Chinese forces immediately leave Philippine economic waters. She said, “We are facing an epidemic, and China is coming back to cause trouble.”
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