Diplomacy may potentially be the best approach in dealing with China to resolve territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, but it is not the only one, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday.
Lacson said he agreed with former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile that the Philippines should not abandon its past or present dealings with China, but added the Philippines should still look at other options available.
“I agree with former Senate President Enrile: We should not abandon whatever dealings or negotiations with China are underway or in the pipeline as we speak. Diplomacy should be our first, if not best, option,” he said in a statement.
“But neither should we disregard other options available, not only to finally resolve the West Philippine Sea issue but to provide the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
On Monday evening, Enrile said the Philippines should befriend China without surrendering its rights, as the Philippines cannot afford to antagonize Beijing.
Lacson, who heads the Senate’s national defense committee, reiterated the Philippines should build stronger alliances with other militarily powerful and capable countries “who may be willing to help our cause.”
Such action would advance their own national interests if they maintain their presence alongside our naval assets in the vicinity of the WPS, he noted.
“That said, it bears repeating that the initiative should come from a united Filipino people with a united stand – not the continued bickering that only the Chinese government will applaud,” he added.
Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
No comments:
Post a Comment