Security analyst says diplomatic actions should be publicized

While Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano maintained that not all diplomatic actions have to be publicized, a security analyst negated this for the sake of addressing public concerns.

“Mainam na isapubliko ‘yan para naman makumbinsi ‘yung mamamayang Pilipino, para mapakita na merong ginagawang diplomatic actions ang ating pamahalaan at doon lang talaga ‘yung pwede nating gawin (It is better to publicize these to convince the Filipinos and to ensure them that our government is conducting diplomatic actions and that these are the only things we can do right now),” University Professor Rommel Banlaoi said in an interview with GMA News on May 31, Thursday.

Banlaoi, who also chairs the Board of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research and leads the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies, however, understood some reasons that Cayetano cited on Wednesday

“May mga bagay na ‘di muna kailangang isapubliko, lalo na kung kasalukuyang nine-negotiate. Pero ‘yung mga sa tingin nilang makakapagkalma sa pagdududa ng mamamayang Pilipino ay dapat maisapubliko ‘yan (There are things that should not be released to the public especially when it is still being negotiated. But those details which they think will calm the doubt of the Filipino citizens should be publicized),” he further explained.

The security expert’s comment came after Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano slammed Cayetano over the developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with China.

During the briefing by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, Alejano raised his point that knowing the country’s moves and assertion on its sovereignty over its owned islands in the WPS.

The Foreign Affairs Secretary said that not all moves were released to the media for the public, but assured that the administration is doing its part.

(Read: Cayetano says that PH filed ‘several dozens’ of diplomatic protests vs China)

“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,” he said.

“Several dozens. Maybe 50, 100. I have to count it over the past two years,” Cayetano added.

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

Critics have been slamming the government for supposedly “losing control” over its islands by allowing China’s militarization.