SENATOR Imee Marcos is surprised by the apparent change of opinion of some of her fellow senators on the issue of the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to Marcos, some of the lawmakers were convinced by the resolution to raise the WPS issue to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
For her, it would be more embarrassing for the country should this go ahead.
“The general assembly might disregard it. It would be more shameful if they do not vote on it. We might not even win in the… I don’t want that. I don’t like fighting,” Sen. Imee Marcos said.
Marcos added that there is nothing our country can do but to endure, however, it is necessary to convey clearly that China’s alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen and intimidation of the coast guard and navy should not continue.
At this time, she said it is necessary to discuss the WPS issue calmly and properly.
“I think the most important thing at this point in time is not to continue poking the panda as it were. More importantly to deescalate the tensions already existing in Tawain’s Strait in the West Philippine Sea. This kind of atmosphere will engender all manner of accidents perhaps violent encounters,” Sen. Imee added.
Sen. Marcos not in favor of ending bilateral talks between Philippines, China
Marcos also did not agree to ending bilateral talks between the Philippines and China.
“Bilateral talks never stop. That’s like a couple. You can’t be in not talking terms forever. That’s not possible. All countries have to talk to each other. That is what is needed and that is how diplomacy works,” she said.
On Monday afternoon, senators had a caucus to discuss the WPS issue.
The purpose of the caucus is to come up with a new resolution that according to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri will give President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. an option on how to deal with the problem of territorial disputes in the WPS.
Among the options are the condemnation of China and the suspension of bilateral talks between the Philippines and the said country, and the assistance of the UNGA.
Included in the meeting were National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff LtGen. Romeo Brawner, Jr.
