Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2) – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday said the Philippines can maintain its good relations with other countries like China, but not at the expense of our sovereign rights.
“As for our long standing and multi-faceted relationship with China, we maintain cooperation in various areas that are mutually beneficial to our peoples,” said Lorenzana in a statement. “We can be cordial and cooperative with other nations but not at the expense of our sovereignty and sovereign rights.”
The defense chief echoed President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent statement, saying the Philippines may owe a huge debt to China but stressed that he cannot compromise on matters regarding the West Philippine Sea.
Lorenzana added that the country “will not waiver” in protecting its territorial claims in the disputed waters.
“While we acknowledge that China’s military capability is more advanced than ours, this does not deter us from defending our national interest, and our dignity as a people, with all that we have,” he said.
“Thus, the conduct of maritime patrol in the WPS and Kalayaan Island Group by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will continue. The government will not waver in its position. Walang alisan (we will stay where we are),” added Lorenzana.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea earlier reported that at least five Chinese Coast Guard ships have remained in the disputed waters, despite the national government’s continued filing of diplomatic protests.
Lorenzana said the latest developments in the West Philippine Sea call for cooperation among stakeholders.
“They can now take this as an opportunity to advance the values and principles we collectively affirm and profess to respect — including the peaceful settlement of disputes — as partners and as signatories to UNCLOS and all relevant international instruments,” he said.
The national government has been criticized for its stance on the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario urged Duterte to step up in defending the country’s sovereignty.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the disputed waters in 2016. However, the Chinese government has consistently refused to recognize the ruling.
