An earthquake on Tuesday, December 5, cut short an important discussion between Sen. Francis Tolentino and Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz covering the swarming in Juan Felipe Reef and the upcoming Christmas convoy in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Tolentino said in an interview just after the earthquake that Florcruz went to him not because he requested a temporary recall but because the latter was in the country for a consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and was accompanied by DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo.
"Hindi natapos yung aming paguusap kasi lumindol. Pero bahagi nung napag-usapan yung presence nung 135 boats sa Julian Felipe Reef at yung mangyayari sa Dec. 11 (Our conversation was cut short because of the earthquake. But we have talked about the 135 boats in Juan Felipe Reef and what will happen in Dec. 11)," Tolentino said.
The swarming of Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) was disclosed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday, Dec. 3 as more than 135 Sino boats were monitored in Julian Felipe Reef.
Meanwhile, the Atin Ito coalition, a group of advocates fighting for the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), recently announced that it will lead an all-civilian Christmas convoy to the atoll, which is the center of recent tension between the Philippines and China due to a territorial dispute.
"Tinanong ko kung ano yung naririnig niya na plano ng Beijing tungkol doon sa Christmas convoy (I asked him what Beijing's plans are regarding the Christmas convoy)," Tolentino said.
He expressed concern for the civilian convoy since the Chinese already used a laser beam and deployed water cannons before against Philippine vessels.
"Eto maliliit na sibilyan na ito, wag naman nila dapat gawin (These are just small civilians, they should not do anything like that)," he said.
When asked if he will not discourage the civilians because of the possible danger Tolentino said: Hindi, ako nga nakiusap sa [Philippine] Coast Guard (PCG) na i-escort sila kasi karapatan natin yun lugar natin yun. Bakit tayo matatakot magdala ng pamasko sa sarili nating lugar? Bakit tayo hihingi ng paalam eh hindi naman tayo namamasko sa kanila, tayo nagbibigay ng aguinaldo sa sarili nating bakuran, bakit tayo hihingi ng permiso sa China? (No, I was the one who asked the PCG to escort them since our right since it's our territory. Why should we be afraid to bring gifts in our own territory? Why would we ask for permission since we're not going ask gifts from them, we're the ones who will bring gifts in our own turf, why would we ask permission from China?)" he said.
It was Tolentino who stated earlier that giving Christmas gifts is part of Filipino tradition and that there is nothing wrong with doing this same thing for Filipino troops sacrificing within the country's jurisdiction.
"While there may be some risks involved, our authorities should ensure the safety of those involved," Tolentino said in a statement.
He added that this is what he meant when he told China in August not the spoil Christmas.
"For the last several months I have been saying this - dont spoil our Christmas," he said.
Tolentino mentioned that Florcruz is already being asked back to Beijing by Sunday. Asked if they will still have the chance to speak before December 11, the senator stated that they would discuss the matter through some other means.