Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 15) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the country is not on war footing and remains committed to finding peaceful means to resolve its dispute with China even after the recent water cannoning of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
In a budget briefing of the House of Representatives for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel asked the secretary if it was “wise” to say that the Philippines is on a “war footing” after the recent incursion in the contested waters.
Manalo answered that the country is “not on a war footing.”
“I hesitate to answer what would be an act of war,” he said when further pressed on the department’s perspective on what would contstitute an act of war.
“The general understanding among all countries is to try and resolve the disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means,” the DFA chief said. “And even with China, we have entered into discussions with them bilaterally that we will try and resolve our disputes through peaceful means, to focus on areas where our relations are really positive.”
Manalo stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has an independent foreign policy and that the country is “a friend to all”.
Manuel raised the issue as he said he is getting “mixed signals” with various government officials commenting on the Aug. 5 incident, when the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal.
Lawmakers then asked Manalo if they still expect a different outcome from talks with China since Beijing has been consistent on not recognizing the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“It’s not hopeless. We will continue to find a solution and there’s a commitment on both sides,” the DFA chief added.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ Politics As Usual, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. said China’s action was “short of declaring war.”
