Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana. (File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Embassy in Beijing on Tuesday denied that it failed to act or monitor the developments on the now enacted China law that permits its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels it deemed infringing on its sovereignty or jurisdiction.
In a virtual briefing with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said the embassy had submitted a report as early as Nov. 2020 when the measure was still being deliberated.
"Of course it's confidential but we have monitored it since November, sumulat po kami ng dalawang reports (we wrote two reports) one in November, one in December when the law was being deliberated and we subsequently filed another report as it was passed," he said.
In a diplomatic note to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the envoy said Beijing has been "clearly told" of Manila's objections in terms of the language regarding the use of force and particularly its possible application in areas the country considers beyond China's territory or within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"The Chinese have reassured us through their Foreign Ministry spokesman and the Chinese Embassy that they are not targetting the Philippines or any specific country and that they will not resort to force in the first instance," he said.
"Gusto ko lang ipaliwanag na (I also want to explain that) through the objection through the diplomatic note and through diplomatic discussions, the Chinese have tried to reassure that they will still exercise restraint. This is what we are calling for, that all claimant countries resort to diplomacy and avoid the use of force," he added.
Sta. Romana said the law's passage was originally expected sometime in March this year when the National People's Congress (NPC) opens its annual session. The measure was enacted last month at an NPC Standing Committee session.
He noted that the language in the law is "actually more moderate" than the initial version when the Embassy first reported China was considering it.
"However, the objection still stands as Secretary (Teodoro) Locsin has pointed out that if the law is applied beyond Chinese territory or within our EEZ we will definitely object," he said. (PNA)
