Support for Philippines’ diplomatic protest against Chinese boats ‘swarming’ in disputed South China Sea
- President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has in recent months been criticised over its perceived inability to confront Beijing’s presence
- China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims to the waterway, where more than US$3 trillion worth of trade passes yearly
“We should not tire of peacefully airing out our grievance,” Senator Ralph Recto told local media, while former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said Manila should go to the United Nations if its diplomatic protest proved ineffective.
“I think that Secretary Locsin is doing his best in terms of the issues we have against China,” Del Rosario told CNN Philippines.
Locsin said he “fired off” the diplomatic protest based on Esperon’s recommendation.
Duterte: I allow Chinese vessels to fish in Philippine waters to prevent war
“I did. I listen only to military intelligence; I distrust civilian sources of ‘misinformation’,” he tweeted in response to a query about whether Manila would take action.
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Wang remained upbeat, indicating that although disputes exist he was confident a code of conduct could be agreed ahead of schedule within three years. He said China and Asean could “absolutely” reach agreement on the sea.
“I believe that progress shows that China and Asean countries have the ability, the wisdom and the will to reach consensus on the CoC,” he said, referencing the South China Sea, adding that non-regional countries should not “sow distrust” between the parties.
Locsin tweeted: “Great meeting. Wang Yi was as ever brilliant.”
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi tweeted that her country welcomed the progress and hoped it would be reflected on the ground.
Ties between the Philippines and China have warmed due to Duterte’s more conciliatory policies towards Beijing but flashpoints remain, including the large number of Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines and working there.
Esperon earlier described the influx of Chinese travellers to the Philippines as a security risk, ABS-CBN News reported.
“As the national security adviser, I have the tendency to look at it as a threat,” Esperon said on Wednesday, noting that many Chinese nationals arrive without proper documents.
“What’s really happening is that there are businesses, offshore gaming, coming in to the Philippines – these are regulated by the PAGCOR [Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation]. But there are illegal players, illegal operators; that’s our problem, because some of these Chinese could come in as tourists and they could end up for the period that they are allowed here to be workers.”
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Locsin on Twitter said the Philippines should put an end to visas upon arrival, with consular offices issuing visas only after vetting applicants. He did not refer specifically to Chinese nationals.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
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