Roque is right, PH out of US-China spat at Panatag Shoal: DFA

But Cayetano stressed the Philippines had always supported freedom of navigation in the disputed waters. (Photo: Alan Peter Cayetano/Facebook)

MANILA — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has defended Malacañang’s statement that the United States-China spat on freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea is just between the two countries.

But Cayetano stressed the Philippines had always supported freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.

“The entrance of the warships of the US is part of their freedom of navigation and we have always supported freedom of navigation,” Cayetano told reporters Tuesday at the sideline of the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Government Administrative Center in Tarlac.

Cayetano said the issue was not a matter of the Philippines supporting or not the Americans, adding Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque was right in saying that the US-China spat was just between the two nations.

The official explained that every time a foreign country gets in another country’s territory or claimed territory, it was expected that the latter would call the attention of the other.

“Every time we fly to Pag-asa, the Chinese send a message saying we are in Chinese airspace. Every time they go in or go near Pag-asa, for example, or in any areas we are claiming, we also send them a message saying they’re entering Philippine waters,” Cayetano said.

But in this case, he pointed out the difference was that the Philippines had a mutual defense treaty with the US.

“Kapag lumapit sila, hindi natin sila sinesendan ng message na (Whenever the Americans get in our territory, we are not sending them a message saying) you’re entering our territorial waters because we allow them to do it. But it’s normal for the Chinese to do that because they’re also claiming (Panatag Shoal).”

Pag-asa island or Thitu island, also claimed by Vietnam and China, is part of the Kalayaan Island Group, a municipality of Palawan.

Meanwhile, Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, contested by both Beijing and Manila, is 124 nautical miles from the nearest base point in Zambales Province.

Last week, USS Hopper sailed 12 nautical miles near Panatag Shoal, leading China to issue a strong statement accusing the US of violating its sovereignty in the area.

While the DFA expected the Chinese response on this issue, Cayetano clarified “it doesn’t mean we agree with them.”

“Never nating sinabi na (We never said) we’re folding up our dispute. But we cannot stop the Chinese from saying ‘it’s ours,’ we cannot stop the Vietnamese from saying ‘it’s ours,’ and they cannot stop us from saying ‘it’s ours,'” Cayetano stressed.

Cayetano said the DFA was looking for a solution on how to establish peace and development in the area.

“First step is stability, stop building doon sa mga (in those that are) uninhabited. The next step na medyo mahirap (a bit difficult) is to roll back yung mga nag-build na. Paano ‘yon? (those who have already built there. How’s that?)”

Asked if the government will seek clarification from China after their latest declaration of sovereignty in the area, Cayetano said the DFA is “taking all diplomatic actions that are necessary.”

But despite measures being taken unannounced, he stressed the Philippines had not lost an inch in the area nor intend to give up on its territorial claims.

“We are taking all diplomatic actions that are necessary, I challenge the critics who are saying that we are giving up on our territorial claims or may nawala sa atin (or we had lost anything at all).”