West Philippine Sea: Romualdez wants China, PH to focus on commonalities

This frame grab from handout video taken on June 17, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office on June 19 shows an aerial view of a Philippine Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) (C) between two China coast guard vessels during an incident off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said on June 19 the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. China defended its actions, with its foreign ministry saying on Wednesday that “no direct measures” were taken against Filipino personnel. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has asked China to deescalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), urging the Asian superpower to focus on the two countries’ commonalities instead.

Romualdez revealed on Monday that he recently spoke with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, adding that he conveyed the country’s concerns over the aggressive nature of Chinese maritime forces in the WPS.

The Speaker said this after being asked about China’s aggressive actions in the WPS after a Philippine Navy sailor suffered a cut on his finger when members of China’s maritime force boarded a Philippine inflatable boat last June 17.

READ: China ships ram, tow PH vessels at Ayungin 

“In fact, I had some moments to speak to the Chinese Ambassador […] And we bemoan the aggressive nature of the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy assets.  And we are very, very upset.  And we protest the unfortunate incident that happened.  And we hope that that doesn’t happen again,” he said in a press briefing in Makati City.

However, Romualdez told Huang that both countries can work on shared commonalities instead of focusing on disagreements.

“But I’ve told (him) and I believe that we can all share the sentiment that China should lessen its aggression.  Let us deescalate these tensions.  And let us not make these disagreements and these conflicts in the West Philippine Sea define the totality of the relationship between China and the Philippines,” the Speaker said.

“There are many other facets of the relations between China and the Philippines.  Let us celebrate those common grounds, those common interests and common values, let us agree that we can disagree, but let us not be disagreeable with one another,” he added.

According to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, Chinese ships also rammed and towed the Philippine vessels — causing damage and endangering the lives of Filipino sailors.

Chinese forces also reportedly seized the firearms of the Philippine military members.

The Navy personnel were providing assistance to the rotation and resupply (Rore) mission to BRP Sierra Madre, which has been ran aground at Ayungin Shoal.  Troops are stationed aboard the the said Philippine Navy vessel.

READ: China’s actions in Ayungin Shoal not an armed attack – Palace 

But last Friday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the incident over Ayungin Shoal may have only just been a misunderstanding, refusing to classify the aggressive actions as an armed attack.

Romualdez said they will stand by the foreign policy of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“We stand by the President’s statements, he’s our Chief Foreign Policy Architect.  We support him 100 percent on that score. His statements are known to all, he says we shall be a friend to all and enemy to none — although we are saddened very much by our neighbors’ actuations, we are very saddened by China’s very aggressive behavior,” he said.

“The Congress, especially we in the administration and coalition, we in the majority, always supports the President and his office, the Office of the President, regarding their stand regarding foreign policy,” he added.