Muntinlupa Lone District Rep. Ruffy Biazon. INQUIRER.net photo / Katrina Hallare
MANILA, Philippines — Muntinlupa Lone District Rep. Ruffy Biazon on Thursday said that he “doesn’t understand the logic” as to why the government would let Chinese fishermen to fish in Philippine waters.
“I believe that just like any other friend, yung real friend, papayagan kang punahin mo siya and still continue the relationship,” Biazon said in the weekly Serye Forum in Quezon City.
Biazon serves as vice chairperson of the House Committee on National Defense and Security.
This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte said that it was alright if China was able to fish within the country’s exclusive economic zone. However, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said that it was not the administration’s policy to let foreign fishers enter and fish on Philippine waters.
READ: Deal or no deal? DFA, Palace differ on Duterte-Xi agreement
Biazon also said that the relationship of China and the Philippines would elevate if, “We remain a friend, we can trade, engage in economic activities. But at the same time, we can respect each other’s rights and territory, and hindi ikasasama ng loob kung pupunahin mo yung kabilang party.”
When asked about Biazon’s opinion on how the two countries will be able to reach a settlement on the sea row, he answered: “Siguro [it’s] opening the table on suggestions on how to approach this relationship with China.”
“Bring the government to a policy stand na magiging balance,” Biazon said on how such approach to China may be achieved. “Kailangan tignan natin yung behavior eh, kung kausap natin yung China.”
“Tanggapin natin na ang overall strategy talaga ng China is to extend their dominance, influence over this particular area,” he said. “Dapat unawain natin na ganun ang objective nila and that entails taking control of territories.”
“So with that in mind, kailangan natin i-base on how we relate to them na give in to certain accommodations but at the same time, you also make a stand on certain issues.” (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
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