Alan, P-Noy word war on sea row goes ‘head-to-head’

What does his thinning hair got to do with the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China?

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday issued a stinging rebuke of former President Benigno Aquino III over the latter’s recent criticism of the Duterte administration’s strategy in dealing with the West Philippine Sea issue.

In an open letter posted on his personal Facebook account, Cayetano lashed back at his erstwhile political ally, saying it was “regrettable” that Aquino opted to mention their balding pates in the course of demanding “transparency” on the part of Malacañang regarding the row with Beijing over the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone.

Cayetano challenged the former President to make public the results of the past back-channel talks between Manila and Beijing, which Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV headed with Aquino’s consent.

More than hair lost

“While we have both lost some of our hair, your administration lost control of Scarborough and a great opportunity to expand tourism, infrastructure and agriculture,” Cayetano said, referring to Panatag Shoal, a rich traditional fishing ground just 200 kilometers off the coast of Zambales province.

“We also lost many opportunities for cooperation in fields like science and technology, protection of the environment, among others, all because of the approach you … chose to adopt and implement,” he added.

Also known as Bajo de Masinloc, the shoal was the site of the two-month standoff between Chinese and Philippine ships in 2012. The incident caused diplomatic tensions and prompted Aquino to seek the intervention of the UN Arbitral Tribunal, which ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Aquino countered Cayetano’s allegation that his administration was not forthright in its handling of the territorial dispute.

Explain withdrawal

“(Cayetano) and I are both ‘transparent’ with our hairstyle. Maybe he should be as transparent with his politics,” Aquino said.

Instead of arguing which between the Duterte and Aquino administrations was more transparent over the issue, Cayetano said Aquino should just “answer the questions on people’s minds and help enrich public discussion on the issue.”

“Who made the decision to end the standoff by ordering Philippine ships to leave and on who’s advice? Why didn’t you order the Philippine ships to return to the area when the Chinese ships did not leave as expected?” he asked.

“We note that there seems to be a denial all around of any negotiated joint withdrawal of both Chinese and Philippine vessels from the shoal. Was there an agreement? Brokered by who?” he said.

The foreign secretary also urged Aquino to offer suggestions rather than just criticize President Duterte’s decision to set aside the arbitral ruling in exchange for loans, aids and investments from China.

“If, indeed, transparency is important to you as you claim, then consider your early response to these questions as crucial,” Cayetano said.