Duterte, Xi agree sea row can be managed

BEIJING – The maritime dispute was brought up when President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping met here.

But the two leaders mainly agreed that “allies don’t destroy each other,” and reiterated the need to “manage” the issue so as not to undermine existing cooperation, according to Philippine government officials.

It was a consensus expected of the two leaders as they briefly discussed the sensitive maritime issue – especially the swarming of Chinese vessels around Pag-asa Island – on the sidelines of the second Belt and Road Forum here attended by 39 other heads of state, including Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The two leaders, during the meeting, agreed that the situation can be managed through bilateral negotiations and that it should not affect existing efforts to promote matters of mutual concern and interest.

Meanwhile, Xi expounded on the importance of good neighborliness and mutual trust between neighbors.

Xi cited the Memorandum of Understanding on Oil and Gas as an example of a mutually beneficial initiative that should temper misunderstanding.

In Manila, Sens. Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar  asked the Duterte administration to ensure protection of the country’s fisherfolk as well as its ecological resources in the West Philippine Sea.

Villar, who chairs the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, expressed optimism that talks between Duterte and Xi on the matter would be fruitful.

“What’s important is that our fisherfolk and their livelihood are protected and sustained,” the senator told reporters. “Many good things can be achieved through sober and sincere negotiations.”

Poe said it was time that the administration assert the country’s sovereignty and protect its territory.

She said the Philippines values its good relations with China but “friends give protection, and not take advantage of allies.”

She said any discussion or agreement on joint development should proceed from the assumption that the West Philippine Sea is the country’s territory, “and that allies should respect each other’s sovereignty.”

“To remove any doubts that such agreements are not detrimental to the interest of Filipinos, they should be made transparent,” Poe said.

“We should push and persist before the last clam is harvested, the last coral reef is destroyed, the last atoll is reclaimed on a territory which is rightfully ours,” she said.

Senators earlier this week reminded economic managers to protect the country’s interests as the Philippines and China forge more agreements during Duterte’s visit.  – Paolo Romero