DFA downplays China warning for Phl not to involve US in Scarborough row

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) downplayed yesterday China’s warning on the Philippines not to involve the United States in the standoff over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal by taking up the dispute during the 2+2 meeting between Philippine officials and their US counterparts next week.

The Department of National Defense (DND) also explained the 2+2 meet would dwell more on the modernization of the military and possible areas of cooperation.

“The two plus two dialogue will be the inaugural activity that will be a consultative session for the opportunity to reaffirm commitment based on a long standing alliance, identify new areas of cooperation and explore partnerships,” DND spokesman Peter Galvez said.

Galvez said among the areas of cooperation to be explored are economy, trade, political and development.

“The defense (department) will primarily tackle modernization issues,” he added.  

Galvez said the 2+2 meet had been planned long before the Panatag Shoal standoff.

“It (two plus two meeting) is totally separate. The talks have been planned for a long time. The discussions will focus more on modernization as we tackle issues like terrorism, trafficking and disaster response and management,” he added.

The US embassy in Manila, however, declined to comment on China’s warning and the standoff and West Philippines Sea to be discussed during the 2+2 meeting.

“The embassy does not have a comment,” said Press Attaché Bettina Malone.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Saturday that his discussions with American officials during his recent US trip were “limited” to two issues, preferring to discus the overall topic involving the West Philippine Sea, including Panatag Shoal, during the 2+2 meeting this month with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Del Rosario will meet with Clinton on April 30.

“The agenda is being firmed up and that item (standoff) has been included in the agenda. And that will be therefore be discussed during the 2+2 meeting in Washington,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing.

The DFA, on the other hand, invited Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing and presented to her a note verbale stating the country’s concern over the Chinese statement that they have become more assertive because the Philippines allegedly broke an agreement on the pull-out of the fishing boats and ships.

In the note verbale presented by DFA Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro to the Chinese ambassador, the DFA pointed out that there has never been an agreement reached to pull out the fishing boats and ships.

“The DFA is of the view that it was unfortunate that the Chinese response was based on inaccurate appreciation of the facts and dynamics of the negotiations,” the DFA said in a statement read by Hernandez during the press briefing.

The DFA also informed the Chinese embassy that, in order to address the impasse and to avoid future misunderstanding, “the dialogue between the two governments must be based on complete trust and the confidence that information to be conveyed to the capitals must be an accurate rendition of facts.”

“The DFA believes that responsibility for resolving the issue rests not just with one party but with both parties,” Hernandez added.

The meeting was conducted in a congenial atmosphere where both sides agreed to continue to work together to move the process forward, he said.

When asked how Ma responded to the note verbale, Hernandez said “The ambassador said there was indeed a misunderstanding and it is unfortunate that it happened.”

“Those are the words she said and it was unfortunate that it happened.”

In asking the Chinese embassy to “rectify” the procedures as far as reporting to the capital is concerned, the embassy is expected to convey accurate reports about the next round of dialogue.

“China has been saying things that were contrary to reality. That is why now the Department (DFA) would like things to be factual and whatever happens here in Manila and in the discussion that is being done in Manila should be reflected and conveyed to their Foreign Ministry in Beijing factually,” Hernandez said. –With Jaime Laude, Paolo Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano, AP