By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla met with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan Thursday to discuss, among other topics, easing tensions between the Philippines and China.
In an interview Friday, Remulla said they did not talk about the dispute over the Kalayaan Island Group.
He said the dialogue focused on practical measures that could help ease tensions and foster better mutual understanding between the two countries.
“Hindi namin pinag-usapan ‘yung (We didn’t talk about the) Kalayaan (issue). Mas pinag-usapan namin ‘yung (We talk more about) how to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries. And a lot has to do with cultural exchanges,” Remulla said.
He added they also exchanged views on strengthened law and order to safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens in the Philippines.
Remulla said he firmly reiterated the Philippine government’s position on KIG.
“It is the Philippines territorial waters. It is our sovereign right to occupy those islands. Plain and simple,” he said.
The Philippines and China have been locked in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims entirely as it owns, including resource-rich features in the West Philippine Sea.
On July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention dismissed China’s expansive claims under its so-called nine-dash-line as illegal. To this day, Beijing continues to reject the ruling. (PNA)
