Palace mum on China’s ‘double talk’ in addressing territorial dispute

FILE – In this April 20, 2015 file photo, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, left, points to reveal recent images of China’s reclamation activities being done at the disputed islands in the South China Sea during a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines.  AP

A MALACAÑANG official on Sunday declined to comment on China’s alleged “double talk” on its actions in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

In a newspaper report published on Saturday, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jinhua said last Friday that it wants the Philippines back in the negotiating table with no preconditions. He also emphasized that China will not use its military strength in solving its dispute with other claimants on the contested territories.

However, an earlier Inquirer report said that a Chinese Navy boat fired flares at a Filipino fishing boat near Mabini Reef last May 30. The Chinese Navy also warned a US surveillance plane, which flew over the contested West Philippine Sea recently.

BACKSTORY: PH, Japan eye own VFA

In a radio interview on dzRB, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. was asked if the incidents involving the Chinese Navy discredited the statements made by Ambassador Zhao.

Coloma said that it would not pass judgment on China.

“Hindi na po tayo gagawa ng paghuhusga. Ang atin lang namang pinagbabatayan sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay kung ano po ba ang katotohanan at kung ano ba talaga ang binanggit. Kasi po kung magkokomento pa tayo diyan ay para bang nagdadagdag—nanggagatong pa tayo sa mga hindi pinagkakaisahan (We will not make any judgment. We will remain vigilant on what is the truth and was really stated. If we will comment on the issue, we will only stoke rumors on things that were not really discussed),” Coloma said.

Aside from the Philippines and China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also claim various parts of the West Philippine Sea.

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