China has been a bully to the Philippines.
In a recent interview with Department of National Defense
Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters at the 2019 Disaster Risk Resilience
Summit in Quezon City, cannot help say China has been a bully to the
Philippines with respect to all that has happened in the diputed areas of the
West Philippine Sea.
The defense chief reacted to the statement of the Chinese
Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao when in his prepared statement he basically
said that China will not be the first one to fire a bullet as it will continue
to adhere to the policy of “peaceful settlement” in addressing maritime
disputes in the South China Sea.
Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana (photo credit to owner) |
“I know you are all concerned about the situation in the South China Sea. I would like to say a few words. The South China Sea issue is not something we have today. It’s being part of the history. But over the four or five decades in the past, China is firm with adhering to the policy of peaceful settlement and this policy will remain and will continue,” Zhao was quoted as saying in the event.
“Despite the differences we have, we are ready to discuss
with claimants over the differences we have. We always believe by law is much
better than confrontation,” he added.
Lorenzana however does not buy the whole thing unless the
Chinese government matches their words and their actions,
“I have heard that version of those speech many times
already. I heard that from the mouth of [Chinese President] Xi Jinping when we
met him with the President, first time we met in 2016. I heard it from the
mouth of other ministers, and then again last Shangrila dialogue, narinig ko na
naman ‘yan sa minister of defense nila (I also heard it from their minister of
defense), so nothing new from what they are saying,” he stated.
“Sinasabi nila na we do not bully people around, they follow
international law, but sabi ko (I told them) you are not. What you are telling
is not what you are doing on the ground so siguro (maybe) until such time that
their action is matched by the words, then doubtful yung mga sinasabi nila
(what they’re saying is doubtful),” he added.
“Parang optics lang ‘yan or narrative lang siguro ‘yan para
it’s good to be heard. Just to keep us siguro calm or palubag loob sa atin,” he
noted.
The Philippines along with fellow Southeast Asian neighbors
Brunei,Vietnam, Malaysia, and China have overlapping claims to the South China
Sea.
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Report from Manila Bulletin
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