Escudero, Robredo support arbitration case vs China maritime claims

Vice presidential aspirants Senator Francis Escudero and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo agreed on Tuesday that the territorial dispute in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) must be settled through peaceful means.

In a forum held at UP Diliman, Robredo said she supports the Philippine government’s arbitration case against China’s sweeping claims in the disputed waterway.

“Meron tayong arbitration case na nakahain (at) inaantay matapos; naniniwala ako doon,” she said.

She did not agree with having bilateral talks with China, however.

“Dapat hindi sinasarado ang avenues for cooperation at hindi i-give up ang sovereignty… Pero dehado tayo sa bilateral talks… Napakaliit natin kumpara sa China,” she said.

Escudero also expressed support for the ongoing arbitration case but unlike Robredo, he said he would consider back-channel talks.

“Mabubully lang tayo sa one on one kung magpapa-bully,” he said.

Escudero also stressed that the issue on the South China Sea would not necessarily be settled on a six-year administration.

“Ang issue na ito ay di kinakailangan matapos sa isang presidente, posibleng isang dekada. Ang importante hindi binibitawan,” he said.

He said what is important is that the Philippines will not let go of its ownership on its claimed areas and that it will continue its relationship with claimant countries.