DFA sees end to row between Perez, Chinese envoy

The task may be daunting but the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will try just the same to convince Justice Secretary Hernando Perez to settle for an apology and withdraw his complaint against Chinese Ambassador Wang Chunggi.

Sources from the Chinese embassy said the DFA is setting up a meeting between Perez and Wang today in an effort to patch up differences between the two officials in time for the visit of the Chinese defense minister.

But as of last night, the DFA was reportedly still unable to convince Perez to attend the supposed meeting because the justice secretary was "indisposed."

"DFA officials are trying to find out ways to convince Secretary Perez to withdraw his petition to declare Ambassador Wang persona non grata," the source said.

One day after Perez was silenced by Malacañang on the issue of the 122 Chinese fishermen, he stood firm yesterday to prosecute them and that arraignment was expected to start on Friday at a Puerto Princesa court.

If he made himself scarce on Monday, yesterday Perez was ready again to face reporters and held a briefing.

"I have instructed Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño to be ready with the case and terminate it at the soonest possible time. We have enough evidence to see to it that there will be a conviction," he said.

Perez said his decision to prosecute the 122 Chinese fishermen caught poaching off Palawan waters has nothing to do with his rift with Wang, who had at one time insisted on the unconditional release of the Chinese nationals.

"I will assert the right of the Philippines to punish those who violate our laws. I will always enforce it. I will always defend our sovereignty," Perez said, adding that he was in favor of an amicable settlement of the spat.

"Of course, I’m willing to talk to him (Wang). Even when he was here, but he left," he said, alluding to the Sept. 20 incident involving a spirited exchange between him and Wang.

Over the weekend, Wang and Perez had sent signals that a solution was in the offing. Perez said yesterday Wang was not to blame for the Sept. 20 incident, while DFA sources said the Chinese ambassador appeared to be apologetic and wanted to mend fences in time for the arrival today of Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian.

According to a DFA source, Wang is apologetic and willing to patch things up with Perez although he is not inclined to issue a written apology because it would be tantamount to an admission of "misbehavior."

"It is not an issue of policy or substance but an issue of behavior, thus the Chinese embassy is not expected to make any written thing," a diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

Even with a mere verbal apology, Chinese embassy officials are looking forward to the final settlement of the conflict between Perez and Wang.

Malacañang silenced Perez on Monday, fearful that an escalation of the rift may lead to a break of Manila-Beijing ties.

"Our quarrel is different from the case. They’re worried that it might affect our friendly relations with China," Perez said.

He said that while his request to declare Wang persona non grata remains, he would abide by the DFA decision.

"I will abide by whatever the Department of Foreign Affairs will decide. It’s up to Secretary (Blas) Ople to decide on my request and my complaint," he said.

At Malacañang, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the Palace would also be guided by whatever recommendations issued by the DFA.

"We’ll just wait for the action to be taken by the DFA. As we said earlier, we’re really concerned with the bigger picture – and this is the long-term good relationship between our two countries," Bunye said.

In an interview with dzRH, Perez advised Wang to allow the poachers to plead guilty, pay $50,000 and P244,000 fines and yield to the confiscation of the six vessels to enable a quick resolution of the case.

On Sept. 12, prior to the spirited exchange between Wang and Perez, the Chinese ambassador met with the justice secretary who agreed to lower the original $100,000 fine on the Chinese fishermen to $50,000.

The poachers were likewise expected to plead guilty and that the six boats would be confiscated. It was not clear why Wang wanted the poachers released immediately.

According to Ople, Perez "has every right" to bring to his attention any instance where he feels aggrieved by a foreign ambassador.

But DFA officials said it would be unlikely for the department to grant Perez’s petition (to declare Wang persona non grata) due to the diplomatic repercussions of such an action.

If the DFA would grant Perez’s request, Wang would be forced to return to China and his counterpart in Beijing, Josue Villa will be forced to return home. – With Marichu Villanueva