National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon explains circumstances in the South China Sea during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay on May 30, 2018. (INQUIRER.net/Gab Lalu)
Should the Philippines protest China’s provocative military activities in the disputed South China Sea?
For National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the filing of diplomatic protest against China for its landing of nuclear capable bombers on Woody Island was unnecessary.
“The purpose has to be looked into — it is a training. Parang sinabi mong dapat mag-protest ka dahil nag-train sila,” Esperon said during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
He stressed that Woody Island, which was occupied by China since 1974, is not within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
“Are we the target? I don’t think so because we are not at war with China. We are not at war with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” he said.
“So shall we lodge a protest for that? Sa tingin ko hindi,” he added. /kga