Vancouver, Canada – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized China’s decision to sanction Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., saying the move raises tensions and does little to advance efforts to manage territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos described Beijing’s action as “very unhelpful.”
“It really achieves very little,” he told reporters.
Marcos said the sanctions do not move discussions between Manila and Beijing forward.
“It does not make it easier,” he said.
“It does not lessen the risk of a mistake or some kind of skirmish that could grow into something more.”
Marcos said the Philippines remains committed to keeping communication channels with China open despite differences over the West Philippine Sea.
“We continue to have open lines of communication with Beijing,” he said.
The president said the government is pursuing dialogue at the diplomatic, commercial and personal levels.
“Everything that we can is being explored,” he said.
Marcos also questioned China’s decision to cut off communication between the two countries’ defense establishments.
“I do not see how it will help that process that we’re trying to achieve to manage the tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
He said maintaining dialogue is essential to reducing the risk of miscalculation.
Marcos also discussed the state of the country’s relations with treaty ally the United States, where he said ties have continued to deepen since he took office.
“We just keep growing stronger together,” he said.
“Our engagements with the United States have become deeper and more expansive.”
Marcos said cooperation continues to expand into emerging sectors driven by new technologies.
“It is as strong and as active as it has ever been, if not more so than before,” he said.
