MANILA, Philippines–Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Sunday urged local politicians to refrain from making any provocative statements about the country’s claim to the Spratlys group of islands during President Benigno Aquino’s visit to China.
“There must be a moratorium among politicians against saying anything unpleasant to China. It is important to maintain a friendly atmosphere,” Santiago, former chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, said in response to a text question.
The senator noted that the situation was tense as it was, with China, the Philippines and five other countries claiming portions, if not the entire group, of islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
So far, the upper chamber’s leaders including Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Ralph Recto have urged Malacañang in separate interviews to explore “diplomatic” avenues in settling the dispute over the Spratlys, which is said to hold vast oil and gas deposits.
“It would be difficult for any country to settle this issue at this moment,” Santiago cautioned. “It requires patience since so many are involved.”
The senator said it was possible the Spratlys issue would not be raised at all in China.
“Some say China views international laws differently. Though there is now a better understanding of international laws of the Western states, there are still certain sectors that cling to the (imperial) view that the land, sea and skies they considered theirs during antiquity should remain theirs,” Santiago said.
“So it is better not to mention the issue so there would be no tension (during the visit). Their foreign minister told me previously about not determining who owns (the islands), rather that we consider means so that (all claimants) would benefit from an understanding,” she said.