No request from Pelosi to transit or visit PH —DFA

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Malaysia’s Parliament Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun pose for photographs during their meeting at the Malaysian Houses of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 2, 2022. Malaysian Department of Information/Famer Roheni/Handout via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not received any request from the United States (U.S.) for transit or visit to the Philippines as America’s House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is visiting Asia.

According to reports, Pelosi will visit Asia, specifically Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

The DFA was asked for their statement as foreign media reports said that Pelosi will arrive in Manila on Tuesday evening to transit to Taiwan.

“The DFA has not received any request from the U.S. government or their Embassy in Manila for Speaker Pelosi to transit and/or visit the Philippines as part of her current swing of visits to the region,” the agency’s spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza told reporters in a message.

She has also noted the importance of communication between the U.S. and China amid the development as Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory.

“The P.H. is closely monitoring developments in this regard. It is important for the U.S. and China to ensure continuing communication to avoid any miscalculation and further escalation of tensions. We trust that China and the United States will be responsible actors in the region,” Daza said.

China earlier warned that such a visit would be viewed as a major provocation. However, the U.S. stood firm in its right to visit Taiwan.

JMS