EVERYONE has their own interests this is the opinion of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, as shared on the ‘Give Us This Day’ program when asked about his thoughts on the recent water cannon incident in the Ayungin Shoal.
This incident prompted China to again call for the removal of the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine ship stationed in the Ayungin Shoal since 1999.
In response, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said he was not aware of any such arrangement or agreement that the Philippines will remove from its own territory its ship, and t if such an agreement exists, then he will overturn it.
According to the good Pastor, each side is advancing its own interests, leading to misunderstandings in the contested territories of the South China Sea.
“For me, my own opinion on this is that all the parties involved have their own interest, everybody’s working for their own interests whether personal interests, national interests, or geopolitical interests.”
“Like for example, we have our own Philippine interests. China has its own Chinese national interests. America has its own geopolitical interest that’s why they are here. So those contrasts in interests are the ones that are now in conflict with each other. So, it’s a very long discussion and a very long dissertation or narrative if you want to discuss it,” Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy said.
Meanwhile, Pastor Apollo reiterated his call for the elected officials of the country not to rush into decisions regarding the issue of disputed territories in the South China Sea. It is necessary, he said, to first study the potential consequences of their actions.
This comes in response to the statement of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who suggested the cancellation or boycott of all government projects involving Chinese companies, especially those owned by the Chinese government, following the incident at Ayungin Shoal.
“I think it’s going too far, that’s why I said, let’s not rush into decisions. Let’s carefully consider and study whether the steps or decisions we’re about to take will be beneficial or harmful to our country. In the long term, because when we decide out of anger, our decision might be wrong. So, let’s reflect first, carefully think about and study the consequences or results of our decisions. That’s the best thing to do for now,” Pastor Apollo added.
Pastor Apollo further emphasized that the interests of Filipinos should be promoted in any decision or action taken by the government.
“So let’s not make decisions when we are impulsive and angry. Let’s think, study, and reflect because our interest here is what’s best for our country. Let’s not be biased here, let’s not be overly biased there, we are in the middle. We are not working for Chinese interest, for American interest; we are working for Filipino interest,” Pastor Apollo said.
