Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said that while there was no reason to panic over the Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef, the Philippines should be vigilant and see to it that China will withdraw the suspected militia boats.
Sta. Romana made the statement as over 200 Chinese vessels that China claimed were fishing boats swarmed the Julian Felipe Reef purpprtedly to seek refuge from the bad weather.
In a public briefing aired over State-run PTV-4, Sta. Romana said it was important to monitor China's next move.
"Ang importante ay ma-monitor at sundan kung ano ang mga gagawing hakbang ng Tsina ‘no (We should monitor and look out for China's next move). Kasi—according to them they are seeking shelter from bad weather so we’re waiting na ito ay isang temporary phenomenon," he said.
"And so our goal is to monitor and to see what the movement will be on the ground because they assure us na hindi ito isang permanenteng sitwasyon (that this is not permanent), that this is not a—that these boats, they’re denying na militia ito (that these are part of the militia)," he added.
Sta. Romana pointed out that the Philippines has to be vigilant but said there was no need to panic.
"We have to be vigilant. Vigilance is the price of sovereignty and that’s why importante iyong tinatawag nating surveillance at monitoring. Tingnan natin kung ipapatupad nila ito (surveillance and monitoring is important. Let's see if China will stay true to its word)," he said.
"I look at this as a situation that we should be concerned with but we don’t have to panic about and we should just exercise a high degree of vigilance, a high degree of monitoring, and see what happens on the ground," he added.
The Filipino envoy believed that the situation can be resolved through diplomacy.
"I expect that this matter can be resolved with an abundance of diplomacy and given the friendly relations between the Philippines and China and their assurance that this is not a permanent situation," Sta. Romana said.
"Ang ayaw nating mangyari dito, na nandiyan na sila permanente or magiging occupation o reclamation iyan ‘no, iyon ang iniiwasan natin (What we don't want to happen is they will be there permanently or it becomes an occupation or a reclamation. That's what we're trying to avoid)," he added.
Malacañang said on Thursday that there was no controversy in the latest Chinese incursion in the West Philippine Sea and that President Duterte and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian already had a discussion about it.
"Nagkaintindihan naman po ang Presidente. Sinabi po ng Pangulo na concerned po talaga tayo. Kahit sino namang bansa mako-concern kung ganyang karaming barko (I think they understood each other. The President said we are really concerned just like any other country if they see those many ships)," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.
"Sa tingin ko wala po talagang kontrobersiya dahil hindi naman nila pinaglalaban na talagang mananatili sila doon (I don't think there is any controversy because the Chinese are not insisting on staying there)," he said.
However, he said that the incident will test the friendship between the Philippines and China, especially if the vessels will not leave the area.
"Diyan papasok naman yung issue ng ano ang epekto ng malapit na pagkakaibigan ng Pilipinas at ng Tsina ngayon (The close friendship between the Philippines and China will come into play if the vessels won't leave)," he said.
"Naniniwala po tayo na sa panig ng magkakaibigan ay mareresolba naman ito (We believe that friends will be able to resolve this issue)," he added.
The Philippines on March 23 demanded China withdraw the boats deemed to be maritime militia vessels from the Julian Felipe Reed, saying their continued presence and activities there "blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction."