PH not threatened by Taiwan drills
By Madel Sabater – Namit
Malacañang on Friday said the military drills conducted by Taiwan
should not be a cause for concern as long as it is done in international waters.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine government is not threatened by Taiwan’s military drills.
“As a matter of rule, as long as the activity is within their borders or in the high seas, then it should not be a concern for us,” Valte said.
The Taiwanese government has conducted military exercises in the waters between Taiwan and the Philippines following the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman in the Balintang Channel.
It will be recalled that China also conducted military exercises near the Philippines but the Palace had said it is not a threat as long as the Philippines’ maritime zones are respected.
Valte meanwhile said the proposal to send former President Fidel V. Ramos to Taiwan to de-escalate tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines will be discussed with President Aquino.
It was former chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs Apolinario Lozada Jr. who proposed that President Aquino should send the former President to apologize to Taiwan.
“That is something that we will have to discuss to the President,” Valte said.
She also said the Palace would not wish to make statements that would further escalate tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines even as China expressed rage over the incident.
“At this point, what we are after, really, is to look at what we will do in light of the sanctions perhaps not for discussion at this point, again, avoiding escalation,” Valte said.
“Our primary concern would be for the welfare of the citizens over there and second, the possible effects the sanctions may have on our OFWs who are there,” she said.
Valte also reiterated that the Philippine government has not approved any joint investigation with Taiwanese investigators on the incident in Balintang Channel. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has already started the investigation on the incident.
“There is a particular process that should be followed and the process should be followed,” she said.
“As to the timeline, the Secretary of Justice did not give a particular timeline but she did assure that the NBI will be giving the highest priority to the investigation that is being conducted,” Valte said.
“That being said, we at this point, do not wish to talk about the details given that the investigation is ongoing and we would like to wait for the final report,” she added.