Cayetano: PH caught in between China, US strategic rivalry

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 7) — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said the firing of a water cannon by the Chinese Coast Guard on Philippine vessels last Aug. 5 may be due to Manila getting caught in the middle of the rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

“Naiipit tayo minsan sa (We are sometimes caught in between the) strategic rivalry ng US at ng China,” Cayetano told CNN Philippines’ The Source, noting that there are unreported incidents that may have led to China’s aggression in the disputed waters.

As an example, Cayetano noted Chinese President Xi Jinping has said Beijing will not militarize the South China Sea, which was reported.

\”But it was not released and it was not reported that much that the US navy made sure that they were active and more aggressive then in the South China Sea, which pushed China to militarize the islands,\” the senator added.

It is possible the same circumstances may have led to the firing of a water cannon by the Chinese Coast Guard on Philippine vessels en route to deliver supplies to troops at the BRP Sierra Madre during the weekend, the senator said.

This is also why former President Rodrigo Duterte should be appointed as a special envoy to China because as former chief executive, he has the knowledge of matters that are unreported, Cayetano added.

“I’m quite sure we’re right but I’m also quite sure that there is something behind this. So when President Xi Jinping said President Duterte promote ties between China and the Philippines, for me that was a signal, for me that is saying ‘may problema ang relationship natin ngayon’ (our relationship has a problem now),” he also said.

During his administration, Duterte maintained good ties with Beijing.

Cayetano said the former president “has also gained the trust and respect of the Chinese government in the highest levels,” which makes him fit for the position.

READ: Zubiri on appointing Duterte as special envoy to China: Why not?

In a briefing on Monday, Marcos said he believes the recent harassment by China is not related to the meeting between Duterte and Xi last month.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it filed a diplomatic protest with the Chinese Embassy regarding the incident and summoned China’s ambassador.