Senator Francis Tolentino on Friday aired his support of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. in recommending the termination of local business deals with Chinese companies involved in reclamations in the West Philippine Sea but reminded him to stick with President Duterte's foreign policy.
"As long as the decision of the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is in line with the President’s independent foreign policy pivot I truly support the same. It is about time we truly assert our sovereign claims in the West Philppine Sea even through diplomatic means," Tolentino said in a text message sent to reporters.
Locsin announced in a television interview that he will "strongly recommend" the termination of agreements with companies that are complicit in China's reclamation and militarization activities.
His statement comes after the United States imposed sanctions against Chinese individuals and state-owned firms that have contributed to the incursions.
"This action of the DFA should be premised not just on the August 26,2020 decision of the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security," Tolentino said.
"The DFA should also note that the latest US pronouncement does not yet include a possible listing under the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which has more devastating financial effects," he added.
"The proposal of the DFA should be grounded not because of the recent US pronouncement but because it is in accord with our highest national interests," Tolentino maintained.
He continued: "While we should thank our ally the United States for supporting us, I suggest that the DFA should likewise watch and monitor the ongoing standoff between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea involving UNCLOS and EEZ issues which heightened just this week for some good lessons."