Malacañang has shied away from making any remark on the brewing tension between the country's long-time allies China and the United States, saying they won't make "knee-jerk reactions" crucial to international relations.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on Wednesday, Aug. 3, the Palace must study the situation first before making any statement when it comes to matters of international concern where the country's foreign relations are involved.
"There is no reaction. Usually, when it's matters of international relations, we take time to study the matter and do not react immediately. Loose words might affect relationships and a very difficult to rebuild," Angeles said.
"So, we will take our cue from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) if such a reaction is even warranted," she added.
"We don’t make knee-jerk reactions because they could adversely affect international relations," the Press Secretary further said.
Angeles stated this when sought for a reaction over the recent call of China to the Philippines to recognize the one-China principle amid the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, which China tagged as "gross interference in China’s internal affairs."
Prior to this, the two countries have also been trading criticisms and accusations over issues on the South China Sea.
The Palace also made no statement on the deployment of four aircraft carriers of the United States Navy in the local/regional waters.
Angeles, however, said that the country's military and the DFA are monitoring the situation.
"Suffice it to say that our military and our DFA are closely monitoring the situation as they would in any other similar circumstance," she said.