(Eagle News)—The Palace on Thursday, April 11, said the country’s sovereignty was “non-negotiable.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement even after the Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-Asa Island.
Panelo had said the government would file a diplomatic protest if media reports on the presence of Chinese vessels near Kota island were also proven to be true.
“We are just reciprocating the courtesy. We are diplomatic about everything,” Panelo explained.
“We are kind in the sense that we are courteous to them but with respect to sovereignty issue, ibang usapan na ‘yon. We have to assert our sovereignty,” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who has opted for warmer relations with China upon his assumption of office, has also slammed China over its vessels near Pag-asa Island.
“We are friends but do not touch Pag-asa,” Duterte, who chose to set aside a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s nine-dash-nine line, had said.
The nine-dash-nine line delineated China’s expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea.
