Gatchalian: Note verbale to China should be made public

MANILA, Philippines — In the spirit of transparency, the note verbale filed against China over the alleged presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels around Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea should be made public, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged Wednesday.

Gatchalian said he trusts that Locsin has already filed the note verbale against China, but it would be even better if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would upload it on their website for the public to see.

“Ako, may tiwala ako kay Secretary Locsin and nakikita ko na very transparent and fair siya (I thrust Secretary Locsin, and I know that he is transparent and fair),” Gatchalian told reporters in an interview.

“But, in the spirit of transparency, maganda rin na ma-upload ng DFA ‘yang note verbale sa kanilang website para makita natin ‘yung action ng ating pamahalaan (But in the spirit of transparency, it should be uploaded on the DFA website so the public will see the action of the Philippine government),” he added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier assured that he has already sent note verbale, or diplomatic notes, before his China trip in March.

“I sent notes verbales versus swarming before my China trip. You have my word on it, and that is all you all get,” he said in a tweet on Tuesday.

READ: Locsin to gov’t doubters: Manigas na kayo

He said, however, that it will not be made public. /ee

READ: Locsin says diplomatic protest vs China will not be made public