By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News
Published May 2, 2021 6:44pm Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario over the weekend questioned why Filipinos are being chastised for wanting to defend the country against China, which has continued to impose its presence in Philippine territory. In a statement addressed to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Del Rosario responded to recent remarks made by President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the West Philippine Sea, in which he again claimed that sending soldiers to defend the territory would end in a war that would be difficult to win. We would like to ask, Mr. Secretary, why our fellow Filipinos are being chastised for wanting to defend our country, rather than China? Why are we giving more importance to China over that of our own people? he asked.
Duterte says PH owes huge debt to China, but can’t compromise on WPS
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that the country owes China a huge debt, including the supply of COVID-19 vaccines for the Philippines.
However, he also stressed that he cannot compromise on some matters, specifically those related to sovereignty on the West Philippine Sea.
“China is a good friend.
Mayroon tayong utang na loob na marami, pati iyon bakuna natin. (We are in debt, even with our vaccines.) So China, let it be known, is a good friend and we do not want trouble with them, especially war,” he said in his weekly address. “But, there are things which are not really subject to a compromise… I have the interest of my country also to protect.”
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he will not withdraw navy and coastguard boats patrolling the disputed South China Sea, insisting the country’s sovereignty over the waters is not negotiable. At the same time, he added that he wants to maintain friendly ties with China, citing Manila’s “debt of gratitude” for Beijing’s help with the coronavirus vaccine.
Tensions over the regional sea, which China claims almost entirely, have spiked as Beijing refuses to withdraw its vessels from the Philippines’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and as Manila steps up maritime patrols.
Duterte is under growing domestic pressure to take a harder line but has been reluctant to confront China over the issue as he tries to foster closer ties with the economic giant.
Philippines President Duterte urged to end policy of subservience towards China-547844 daily-sun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from daily-sun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.