SENATOR Risa Hontiveros asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) on the strategies that the Marcos administration is taking to de-escalate the tension in West Philippine Sea in light of the June 17 incident in Ayungin Shoal between the Philippine troops and China Coast Guard.
During the Committee on Foreign Relations hearing, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Hontiveros emphasized the importance of continued dialogue with Beijing to ensure the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
According to Foreign Affairs Sec. Enrique Manalo, the Department of Foreign Affairs remains committed in pursuing the peaceful resolution of these problems regarding these disputes in accordance with the international law. He said they are already preparing for the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea meeting to be held early next month and bring Beijing back to the negotiating table.
“Yung boses ng bansa natin sa dialogue ay malakas at mataas pa nga… Salamat sa pagpapatuloy ng gobyerno nung preferred process natin and at the same time yung malakas na pagcommunicate sa Tsina laban sa ginagawa nila… sana maging mabunga ang parating na Bilateral Consultation Meeting bagamat sa ganitong mga aggressive actions mukhang tayo lang ang interesado,” Hontiveros said. Voltaire Domingo
