Senator Bongbong Marcos. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
President Benigno Aquino III should initiate “informal talks” with China to start discussions on how to resolve the land disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.
Marcos said the President should also summon the Chinese envoy in Manila to protest the reported China’s recent aggression and reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: In photos: China’s reclamation in West Philippine Sea
The senator said bringing the issue with other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next week was just one option but the Philippine government should exercise all possible options.
READ: PH to raise reclamation issue in Asean summit
“The President should summon the Chinese Ambassador to protest,” the senator said in a text message.
“Also he should initiate informal contacts with China and start discussing how to resolve the issue with an eye to formal talks to resolve the difference between the Philippines and China,” Marcos added.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also called on the Philippine government to take advantage all available avenues to resolve the conflicts with China.
Pimentel, in an interview, said the Philippines may call on its allies or international community, make an appeal to China and look at the legal processes in international tribunals.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV warned that China’s continued reclamation activities have “serious national and even global security implications.”
“We need to reassess our foreign policy position and national defense plans to make sure we are prepared for any contingency scenario. I filed a resolution a few weeks ago to this effect,” Trillanes said in a separate text message to reporters.
READ: Trillanes seeks probe on China reclamation in disputed waters