Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday cited the Duterte administration’s gains in dealing with the country’s territorial dispute with China as he claimed that the most destructive fishing activities happened in the West Philippine Sea during the Aquino administration.
“Sa pangingisda, noong panahon nila (Aquino’s administration) hindi nakakapangisda ang ating mga mangingisda (sa West Philippine Sea),” Cayetano said in an interview over dzMM on Wednesday.
“Pangalawa iyong sea safety, ibig sabihin iyong makapasok sa lagoon, makasilong kapag masama ang weather, noong panahon niyo walang ganoong arrangement, ngayon meron,” the Foreign Affairs chief said.
“Pangatlo environment, iyong pinapakita pagkuha sa giant clam, iyong destructive fishing, most of that happened during the Aquino administration, ngayon meron na tayong tentative agreements protecting the environment,” Cayetano added.
Cayetano said the country wants to be a “good neighbor of China, Japan, Korea and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).”
However, the Philippines’ sovereignty and interest will be reign as it strengthens its ties with other countries, the DFA chief noted.
In his third State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines’ “reenergized relations with China” have led to “an unprecedented level of cooperation” in fighting illegal drugs.
“Our improved relationship with China, however, does not mean that we will waver in our commitment to defend our interests in the West Philippine Sea,” the President added.
Duterte also stressed that the Philippines will continue pursuing an “independent foreign policy” – which critics said was independent from the US but not from China. /vvp