Locsin waiting for AFP’s ‘order to fire’ protest on presence of 220 Chinese ships in WPS
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he would only lodge a diplomatic protest against the reported presence of around 220 Chinese maritime militia in a West Philippine Sea reef upon the recommendation of the military.
“Still waiting for the order to fire. I listen only to Generals, never media or an NTF (national task force) press release which amounts to nothing. Only a shot from DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) counts,” Locsin said over Twitter on Sunday.
Still waiting for the order to fire. I listen only to Generals; never media or an NTF press release which amounts to nothing. Only a shot from DFA counts. Waiting for the coordinates and the order to fire, Generals Esperon and Lorenzana. I fire even on a Sunday. @DFAPHL OTLA. https://t.co/KBNIlWbdPP
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 21, 2021
“Waiting for the coordinates and the order to fire, Generals Esperon and Lorenzana. I fire even on a Sunday,” he added as he tagged the DFA’s official Twitter account.
Locsin was referring to National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
“The only artillery that can score is the one called DFA. Any other way, no way. Just hot air,” he said in a separate tweet.
The only artillery that can score is the one called DFA. Any other way, no way. Just hot air. I only fire with coordinates spelled out by Generals Esperon and Del Lorenzana. I don’t listen to media. In my watch foreign policy is the fist in the iron glove of the Armed Forces. https://t.co/SyPVyHv9TB
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 21, 2021
“I only fire with coordinates spelled out by Generals Esperon and Del Lorenzana. I don’t listen to media. In my watch foreign policy is the fist in the iron glove of the Armed Forces,” he added.
The Chinese vessels were spotted in line formation at the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef on March 7, 2021, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a report to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).
The task force raised the concern “due to the possible overfishing and destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to safety of navigation.”
Julian Felipe Reef is a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs (Union Reefs), located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan, the task force said.
The reef is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, which the NTF -WPS said the Philippines owns “exclusive right to use resources, including fish, oil and natural gas.”
