Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario. AP FILE PHOTO
The Philippine envoy tasked barely three months ago with leading efforts to iron out the tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is better now than when she was brought to the hospital last Wednesday.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said 71-year-old Sonia Brady suffered a stroke and was rushed to hospital on Aug. 22.
“It has been confirmed that Ambassador Brady suffered a stroke, but she is better now than when she was brought to the hospital last Wednesday. Her condition is continuously being monitored,” said Hernandez in a text message.
Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario visited Brady at the Beijing hospital on Saturday, Hernandez added in another text message late Saturday afternoon.
While in the Chinese capital, Del Rosario also visited Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to discuss “issues of mutual concern,” he said.
The talks were “productive,” added Hernandez but did not elaborate.
“While Ambassador Brady is in the hospital, Deputy Chief of Mission Alex Chua will take over the affairs of the embassy,” said Hernandez.
Brady is on her second tour as the country’s ambassador to China, appointed by President Aquino in May this year in hopes that a veteran diplomat could best represent the country’s interests amid the ongoing territorial dispute with China.
She first served in Beijing from 2006 to 2010.
The DFA would have to consider whether or not to replace Brady, said presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Asked about her possible replacement, Valte said: “That is something we should (consider), of course. The thoughts and the opinions also of Ambassador Brady should be considered before anything like that happens.
“At the moment, our concern is really for her recovery so we will watch that first. We have capable fellow workers at the Beijing post who can keep the affairs going on a daily basis.”
Brady was chosen to be ambassador again largely for her familiarity with Chinese culture and politics having already served as ambassador to Beijing.
Philippine relations with China deteriorated beginning April when ships from both sides faced off over fishing rights near the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, an outcropping of rocks off Zambales province.
Both the Philippines and China claim jurisdiction over the shoal.
Both sides profess a commitment to settling the dispute peacefully. But the Philippines is insisting on regional or multilateral mediation in the conflict while China is calling for a bilateral negotiating approach. With an AFP report, Fat Reyes, INQUIRER.net