Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday distanced itself from Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s expletive-laced remarks towards China, saying this is not a Philippine policy.
In a tweet, Locsin demanded China to “get the f*ck out” of Philippine waters as its vessels continue to linger in the West Philippine Sea.
“Sinabi ko na ang binitawang maanghang na salita ni Secretary Locsin ay kabahagi ng kanyang karapatan ng malayang pananalita. Well tama po iyon kasi ang sinabi po ni Secretary Locsin ay kanyang personal na pananaw,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.
(I earlier said that Secretary Locsin’s fierce statement is part of free speech. That’s right because what Secretary Locsin said is his personal view.)
“Nililinaw ko po, upon express orders of the President na hindi po ito ang polisiya ng Pilipinas. Kinlaro po ito mismo ng ating Presidente,” he added.
(I’m clarifying that upon express orders of the President, this is not the policy of the Philippines. The President himself said this.)
Without naming anyone, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a pre-recorded speech that the country’s conflict with China over the disputed waters is not a reason to be “rude and disrespectful” towards them as they remain the country’s “benefactor.”
Roque echoed Duterte’s remarks saying the Philippines’ differences with China “will not define” the two nations’ bilateral relations.
“Anumang pagkakaiba natin po sa bansang Tsina sa usaping West Philippine Sea, hindi ito magdedefine ng ating bilateral relations at hindi ito magiging hadlang sa ating pagkikiapgkaibigan sa Tsina at malalim na kooperasyon sa pandemic response, vaccine cooperation at post-pandemic recovery,” Roque said.
(Whatever differences we have with China over the West Philippine Sea, it will not define our bilateral relations and it will not be a barrier to our friendship with China and deep cooperation in the pandemic response, vaccine cooperation, and post-pandemic recovery.)