Tension in WPS won’t be resolved without PH-China dialogue—Atty. Panelo

Tension in WPS won’t be resolved without PH-China dialogue—Atty. Panelo

THE tension in the disputed territories between China and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) continues to escalate following a recent statement by Chinese President Xi Jinping where he stated that the country’s military is preparing for possible maritime conflicts, particularly in the East and South China Seas.

In response, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., asserted that the Philippines will not surrender any territory.

There is also the apparent provocation of tensions by the United States, according to the Chinese Embassy, which is constantly meddling in the affairs between the Philippines and China.

But to Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo, this issue won’t be resolved unless the top leaders of both countries engage in dialogue.

“I repeatedly suggested that the President of the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines should meet one-on-one, that should be their only topic. I’m very certain they agree on the… since we can’t come to an agreement, can we discuss what our people should do when they meet? As long as we haven’t finalized what we can do to each other, it should be like that, otherwise, it will be endless,” Atty. Salvador Panelo, Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, stated.

Panelo also mentioned that those pushing the Philippines to be at odds with China have their own interests.

“Those who are behind us, of course, want us to provoke China for their own purposes. That’s favorable for them,” Atty. Panelo said.

Panelo believes that China’s actions in the disputed territories are similar to the Philippines’ assertion of its rights in the WPS.

 

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