Escudero: PH-China hotline a ‘positive step forward’

Senate President Francis Escudero (Senate PRIB) beside a frame grab from handout video footage taken by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) —photo by handout/ PCG/Agence France-Presse.

In an ambush interview at the sidelines of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s event on Wednesday, Escudero said any attempt to reduce and lower tensions between the Philippines, China, and in this region is “definitely a positive step.”

READ: PH-China hotline created for presidents to avert sea clashes

“Given the long relationship between the two countries namely the Philippines and China–culturally and economically which antedates even the colonization of the Philippines by Spain. And I am of a firm belief that this is a mere speck and we will overcome this difficult time as between our two nations and we will overcome this without firing a single shot,” the Senate chief remarked.

An Associated Press report noted that both China and the Philippines saw the need to strengthen the bilateral maritime communication mechanism on the South China Sea and signed an arrangement “on improving Philippines-China maritime communication mechanisms.

Reports said the agreement “provides several channels for communication between the Philippines and China, specifically on maritime issues, through the representatives to be designated by their leaders.”