Sen. Erwin Tulfo To Meet Chinese Officials amid “Word War” between PH-China Officials
ERWIN TULFO – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman confirmed that he is set for a meeting with the officials of the Chinese Embassy.
The recent word war between some officials of the Philippine government and the Chinese Embassy have sparked different opinions from the people. As for Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, when asked about the PH-China word war, she stressed that the country should resolve its relationship with its neighbors. According to her, she was not referring to one country alone but to the neighboring countries.
Amid the ongoing territorial dispute between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela using the caricature of Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a lecture elicited various reactions. While some senators asserted the claims of the Philippines in the disputed island, some government officials expressed opposition towards what Tarriela did.
Minority Sen. Robin Padilla and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano were among those who expressed a strong opposition against what PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela did. According to Padilla, respect should come from both countries.
For his part, PH Coast Guard spox Jay Tarriela maintained that he will not apologize to China. He raised a question asking if the foreign country has apologized for allegedly violating the rights of the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.
Amid the issues, several senators including senators Kiko Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros were loud on the claims of the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea. In 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal honored the claims of the country but the ruling was not recognized by China.
Amid the “word war”, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo previously said he will ask senators Kiko Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros to “tone down” their alleged personal attacks against China. According to him, such should be avoided to prevent it from affecting the negotiations for a code of conduct or COC in the West Philippine Sea.
“We can just [declare a] ceasefire muna habang ongoing ang negotiations at dialogue diyan po sa COC, lalo na po’t tinatapos pa ang Code of Conduct,” the Senator said.
Recently, based on News5, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo confirmed that he is set to meet with the officials of the Chinese Embassy. The said meeting is scheduled on Monday, February 23.
Based on the post, the said meeting between Sen. Erwin Tulfo and the officials of the Embassy of China was organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Following the confirmation from the Senator, several netizens expressed that they will keep an eye on what the Senator can do over the issue.
Previously, amid the statements of some senators against him, PH Coast Guard spox Jay Tarriela invited senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta to join a mission flight to the West Philippine Sea.