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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Recto praises Locsin over expletive-laced tweet vs. China

Recto praises Locsin over expletive-laced tweet vs. China

Published May 4, 2021 02:26 pm

For Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.'s profanities are just what the Philippines needs to express its position on China's continued violations of its sovereignty.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto

While Locsin has reportedly apologized for his expletive-laced tweet to China, Recto on Tuesday, May 4, praised the Philippines' foreign minister.

"In an era when diplomacy is practiced by those who 'speak softly and carry a selfie stick', it pays to have a foreign affairs secretary who is brave and brilliant because it will allow our country to punch above its weight," Recto said of Locsin.

"While we may not have missiles to launch, we possess something more potent – Locsin missives, against which no shield has been proven effective," he added.

"Those who are saying that he should have couched his statements in diplomatese are missing the point. This is the knight of the King’s English," the Senate leader further said.

Malacañang has distanced from Locsin's Twitter message telling China to "get the f*ck out" of Philippine waters, saying it was the diplomat's personal view and that it was not the government's official policy.

Even President Duterte, who is known for his habit of spewing expletives, also frowned on the "disrespectful" behavior toward China.

"In diplomacy, there is no place for expletives," Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in Filipino.

But Recto said tactful statements would no longer work for China, which has repeatedly ignored several of the Phillippines' diplomatic protests about its aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

China insists on its sweeping nine-dash-claim over the South China Sea, which the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration already invalidated in July, 2016.

"Such a tactful way has not worked with a nation who has brazenly violated our sovereignty. So it is time to convey our dismay in a language they can understand," Recto pointed out.

"And we have that message delivered by our best weapon in a shouting war," he added, referring to Locsin.

"Mabuhay po kayo, Secretary Locsin!" Recto said.

Related Tags

ralph recto TEDDY BOY LOCISN incursion West Philippine Sea china
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