By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Thursday said the Philippines would continue to rely on diplomacy and dialogue in dealing with China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Testifying before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Lazaro said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) employs several mechanisms, including the bilateral consultative mechanism with China, to ease tensions.
She cited that since June 2024, a provisional arrangement on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal has helped prevent further incidents during supply missions to BRP Sierra Madre.
“These mechanisms may not have an immediate impact, but diplomacy definitely has a very important role,” Lazaro said, adding that diplomatic protests form part of official records used in international arbitration.
Committee chair Senator Imee Marcos, however, lamented that more than 300 diplomatic protests have been filed against China with little effect.
“It’s embarrassing that we keep sending protests but they’re being ignored,” she said.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, questioned the country’s adherence to the One China policy while the country continues to be “bullied” in the WPS.
He warned that the presence of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels near Ayungin Shoal underscored the need to reassess the Philippines’ position.
“Diplomacy without deterrence is weakness,” Tulfo said, adding that Filipino fishers and Coast Guard and Navy personnel remain at risk of harassment.
Lazaro said while security forces address operational concerns at sea, the DFA will uphold President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive that disputes must be settled peacefully through dialogue. (PNA)
