Xi talks with Marcos Jr., Duterte ‘just for show’

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts to reach out to President Marcos and former president Rodrigo Duterte appear to be mere “false pretenses” as China’s acts of aggression in the West Philippine Sea contradict the Chinese government’s assurances to the Philippines, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said yesterday.

“That’s why China’s talks with us are under false pretenses. For me it’s just for show, to show the world that they talk to us, but beneath all that, what their actions say is different,” Teodoro said in Filipino in an interview over radio dzRH.

He stressed that Marcos and Xi should continue talks, but the latter should show good faith and sincerity, unlike in previous instances.

The defense chief cited Marcos’ visit to China earlier this year to meet with Xi, followed a month after by the China Coast Guard’s use of laser weapons against BRP Malapascua, which temporarily blinded Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel.

“The problem is they spoke to president Duterte back then when his term was ending, then they harassed fishermen. President Marcos visited China early this year, and then there’s the laser-pointing incident,” Teodoro said.

“I don’t need to answer questions (whether the meetings of President Xi with President Marcos and former president Duterte had no effect whatsoever). We can already see the evidence based on what’s happening,” he added.

The defense secretary was speaking about his expectations of China following last Sunday’s incident, where China’s aggressive and dangerous blocking of Philippine supply boats en route to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal caused a collision.

If China seeks continuous talks with the Philippine government regarding disputes over the West Philippine Sea, it should henceforth be open to the public and not anymore within the cloaks of secrecy, according to Teodoro.

“Another problem with engaging with China (officials) is that they’re not transparent. We don’t know how they work, we don’t know who we’re talking to,” he said.

The defense chief stressed that if future talks are on the table, China needs to show that it respects the Philippines as a people and a country.

Teodoro also confirmed that the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General are building a case against China over last Sunday’s collision.

“We can’t file with the International Criminal Court because we already withdrew from there,” he said. “This requires thorough study, and the case should be strong enough.” – Delon Porcalla, Sheila Crisostomo