By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Monday described as “productive” his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, saying both sides agreed to prioritize continuous diplomatic engagement over public exchanges.
In a chance interview, Tulfo said they discussed keeping communication lines open through regular meetings rather than airing disagreements on social media or in the press.
“It was productive. Both of us agreed na open ‘yung continuous diplomatic meetings rather than public discourse, rather than banatan on-air sa social media, sa newspaper (Both of us agreed to keep continuous diplomatic meetings open rather than engage in public discourse or exchanges on social media and newspapers),” Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said.
The meeting was facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and was also attended by Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Tulfo said.
Asked whether the Chinese Embassy would stop issuing statements critical of Filipino officials, Tulfo said the matter was not directly discussed.
“Well, di naman napag-usapan ‘yan (That was not discussed),” he said, adding that talks focused on broader diplomatic initiatives.
Tulfo said the Chinese side expressed optimism over the ongoing negotiations on a Code of Conduct between China and ASEAN claimant states, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.
“They’re very excited din dun sa Code of Conduct na tinatapos between China and ASEAN countries… So, hopefully by December, matatapos na ‘yun (They are very excited about the Code of Conduct being finalized between China and ASEAN countries… hopefully it will be completed by December),” he said.
Discussions include the possible renewal of a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard aimed at promoting cooperation instead of confrontation in the West Philippine Sea.
“Instead magbanatan sila dun sa West Philippine Sea… magkaroon na lang ng cooperation like patrol, search and rescue, clean-up (Instead of exchanging accusations in the West Philippine Sea, there could be cooperation such as patrols, search and rescue, and clean-up),” Tulfo said.
Lazaro told Tulfo that negotiations on the Code of Conduct are being expedited, with monthly dialogues set to begin in March among claimant countries and China.
Tulfo clarified that the Senate’s resolutions on the West Philippine Sea remain within the chamber’s authority.
“Pagdating dun sa resolution ng Senate, wala naman daw siyang magagawa doon. I mean, karapatan ng Senado ‘yun (As for the Senate resolution, he said there is nothing he can do about that. That is the Senate’s prerogative),” he said.
The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open diplomatic channels between the Philippines and China amid tensions in the disputed waters. (PNA)
