Cayetano says that PH filed ‘several dozens’ of diplomatic protests vs China

Amid critics slamming the administration’s stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano stressed that the Philippine government filed diplomatic protests against China for the past two years but chose to not publicize it.

“We have been filing a diplomatic protest. But the critics want us to announce it loudly and to confront China each and every time to the media. That is not conducive through the ongoing talks,” Cayetano said during the briefing by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea on May 30, Wednesday.

“Several dozens. Maybe 50, 100. I have to count it over the past two years,” he said, referring to the number of the said protests filed.

Cayetano assured that the government is doing its job by conducting diplomatic actions and giving assurances. He said that the government, through its involved agencies, has been consistent by saying that it is taking matters through diplomacy; however, not everything has to be announced through the media.

Earlier on May 21, the DFA issued a statement saying that it closely monitors the developments in the WPS, but is not required to “publicize every action.”

(Read: PH closely monitors WPS, South China Sea developments)

“While appropriate language, whether expressions of condemnation or concern, over certain developments are clearly conveyed through diplomatic channels, it is not our policy to publicize every action taken by the Philippine Government whenever there are reported developments taking place in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea,” it said.

During the briefing, Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano who slammed Cayetano, saying that the Philippines lost control over Sandy Cay, also confronted the Foreign Affairs Secretary.

According to Alejano, he understands Cayetano’s point and the DFA policy that the government’s moves cannot be discussed in detail. However, he said that there are still pieces of information that are for public consumption –  which includes national security and national interest – for the people to understand the direction that the country is taking.

Cayetano replied by reassuring that the administration has the national interest at heart, however, said that critics want the government to ‘loudly protest.’

“By not loudly protesting, we are losing out, or pumapayag tayo (we are allowing),” the DFA secretary cited an example of some reasons by critics, but added that this mentality or reasoning has “no basis on the law.”

He also emphasized that diplomatic actions take time and planning, but with the media reporting the developments, conflict occurs when it comes to the timing of the actions.