Spratlys tension ‘gone down’—Gazmin

Voltaire Gazmin

MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is optimistic that tension between the Philippines and China has “gone down” following President Benigno Aquino’s five-day state visit to the socialist state last week.

Aquino and President Hu Jintao issued a joint statement Thursday stressing their commitment to a peaceful dialogue to address the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) territorial dispute.

“With that statement, the tension has gone down,” Gazmin said in a chance interview in Camp Aguinaldo Tuesday.

Ahead of the trip, Manila had accused Beijing of incursions in areas claimed by the Philippines, firing on Filipino fishermen, laying buoys and markers, and hounding an oil vessel.

Asked if there could still be Chinese intrusions in the Philippine-claimed territories in the West Philippine Sea, Gazmin said, “With the goodwill that was shown and demonstrated by the president and the reciprocal statements of the Chinese, I don’t think that would be… We hope.”

He said Aquino’s visit calmed tensions between the two countries.

“This event is a confidence building measures. This is what we achieved first, that we calm tensions between the countries,” Gazmin said.