In Manila, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta said that China is not happy about being viewed as “villains” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue. He shared this statement after a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador in Manila, where Beijing's desire to put aside the dispute and reduce tensions between the two countries was emphasized.
In a privilege speech, Sen. Risa Hontiveros strongly condemned what she called shocking statements from the Chinese Embassy against Philippine officials. She called for an investigation to ensure that the country's sovereignty and interests are protected, especially amid the ongoing tensions over the WPS.
Marcoleta highlighted the alleged “relative peace” during the previous administration, and criticized statements that could cause misinterpretation and panic. He also questioned the government's transparency initiative that documents incidents in the disputed waters, and insisted that sensitive issues should be handled through diplomatic channels.
The issue of Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, who received criticism from China after a presentation, was also discussed. According to Marcoleta, such statements should be avoided so as not to worsen the situation. He revived the proposal of sharing the WPS, noting that there are other countries with conflicting claims in the region.
Hontiveros strongly opposed Marcoleta's position, insisting that the problem is not small and has a direct impact on the livelihood of Filipinos. According to him, the root of the issue is China's actions against the Philippines, and not the statements of local officials. He said friendship is only possible if there is respect for sovereignty and international law.
