Cayetano to critics: Sea row not about being confrontational
MANILA, Philippines — Justifying the Duterte administration's policy on China, the Philippines' top diplomat criticized the previous administration for "not producing" results.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayateno claimed that the current administration was able to produce results, including protecting the country's sovereignty and enjoying soveign rights in the disputed waters.
"They just want to show that they are brave. This is not about bravery. It's not about confrontational. It's about producing results," Cayetano said in an interview with radio dzMM on Wednesday.
Cayetano added that the government will do what critics want under two conditions — if their proposal is better and the Duterte administration's strategy does not work and if their proposal has better results.
"Because if you compare what they did to what the Duterte administration, we have better results now," he added.
Cayetano was referring to former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, who have been urging the government to protest Beijing's continued militarization of man-made features in the South China Sea.
The DFA chief, however, acknowledged Carpio's warning that the country is in danger of losing oil and gas as the Malampaya filed is expected to run dry in a few years.
"That's why we want joint exploration and development so that we will not lose what we have and because China, Malaysia and Vietnam have better technological and financial capability," Cayetano said.
The Philippine government is still working on the details of a possible joint development with China in the South China Sea, which is said to be a better deal than the Malampaya project.
"So that critics cannot say anything. If the Malampaya deal is at 60-40, we will not agree if it is less than 60-40," the secretary said.
Cayetano also defended the government's choice to pursue the project with Beijing despite the maritime dispute over the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea.
He stressed that the Philippines also has a dispute with with Vietnam over the extended continental shelf.
"Why is it that when it comes to China it is unconstitutional?" he said.
If this is the case, it would be better to pursue a joint venture in undisputed areas so as to avoid violating international law, according to Cayetano.
"The international law now states that the oil is not yours until you harvest it. Of course, they cannot enter your EEZ. What if the oil is outside?" the secretary said.
Two areas in the country's EEZ are being considered for a possible joint exploration with China. Service Contract 57 in Calamian in northwest Palawan is not disputed while Service Contract 72 in Recto or Reed Bank is being disputed by the Philippines and China.
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