A former foreign envoy and award-winning journalist explained some misconceptions about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.
Former Philippine Ambassador to Greece and Cyprus, Bobi Tiglao, rarely grants interviews.
However, he delves deeply into writing explanations about the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines in the WPS.
On Thursday, Tiglao was recognized with the Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) 2023.
The award acknowledges the contributions of outstanding Filipinos to the friendly relations between China and the Philippines.
When Tiglao spoke to SMNI News, he clarified who is behind inciting anger among Filipinos towards China.
“It seems that someone is urging us. The Americans are trying to provoke us to be angry with China,” said Rigoberto ‘Bobi’ Tiglao, Former Philippine Envoy to Greece and Cyprus.
Tiglao also provided an explanation regarding the recent encounter between the Chinese and the US Navy in the Taiwan Strait.
According to Tiglao, the US government became angry when their ship was cut off by a Chinese vessel.
However, Tiglao believes that,
“There’s a video that shows the path crossing of China and the Americans. There’s also an aerial view, very dramatic. But they didn’t ask where it happened. In reality, it happened within the Chinese exclusive economic zone. If not the territory, whether it is the actual PRC or the Taiwanese EEZ,” Tiglao added.
Tiglao also criticized those who write about the West Philippine Sea issue, as he believes they cling to the narratives propagated by Western countries. These narratives are aimed at tarnishing China’s image among Filipinos.
“Currently, it’s painful to say that the majority of those who write about the South China Sea issue haven’t really studied it. They just read it in American newspapers, watched it on CNN, and believed it,” he added.
Tiglao’s book, titled ‘Debacle,’ is no longer available to the public.
In the book, Tiglao details the shortcomings of a previous administration under President Aquino regarding the West Philippine Sea issue.
This award-winning journalist’s book is based on factual data and in-depth research.
Finally, Tiglao comments on the presence of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA sites, which he believes are focused on China.
President Marcos recently spoke, as if he still wants to be close to China, but the reality on the ground, so to speak, is that the EDCA sites are really focused on China. And much so-called freedom of navigation patrols conducted by the Americans is actually provoking China.
