Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday, May 23, backed the call of retired military officers for a united stand against China’s increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stressing the importance for the country to have “one voice” in the maritime disputes.

Robredo said that it’s not helpful for the Philippines’ position for its officials to have contradictory statements on the territorial issues with China.

VP Leni Robredo (OVP photo)

“Sa akin, may basehan kasi iyong pag-express ng pagkabahala. Actually, hindi lang si Senator Biazon—Cong. Biazon—iyong nag-express nito, pero mahalaga kasi na isang boses sana tayo, (For me, there’s a basis to express concern. Actually, it’s not just Senator Biazon—Congressman Biazon—who expressed about this, but more importantly, we need to have one voice only),” she said during her weekly radio show.

The vice president warned that the country has to be careful on its stand against China, especially because sovereignty and territorial dispute are “very sensitive” issues.

“Hindi ito puwedeng basta-basta lang ang sasabihin. Kailangan calculated, kailangan sisiguraduhin natin na iyong sinasabi natin, hindi tayo malalagay sa alanganin (The statement cannot be taken lightly. It needs to be calculated, we need to be sure that what we’re going to say, we won’t be put in an awkward situation),” she added.

Last week, retired Lieutenant General Edilberto Adan, who served under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and now heads the Advocates for National Interest (ANI), a group of former police and military officers, called on the President to “have a firm stand” in defending the Philippines sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS.

He said during an interview on ANC that the group is requesting President Duterte “to retract some of his statements which do not conform with our national interest.”

Over the weekend, former Senator Rodolfo Biazon, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff under former President Corazon Aquino, called to convene the National Security Council (NSC) to come up with a united stand against China’s aggression.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/20/ex-afp-chief-biazon-convene-national-security-council-to-discuss-wps-dispute/

As the author of the Philippines Baseline Law, which serves as the basis for the country’s maritime jurisdiction, Biazon went to The Hague with retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Affairs chief Albert del Rosario to invalidate China’s sweeping nine-dash-line claim.

Asked about her comments on the dialogue and bilateral talks between the Philippines and China, Robredo quoted experts who already said that bilateral talks will not be helpful for a small country.

“Parang hindi magiging patas, hindi patas iyong standing. Kaya ang pinupush sana natin multilateral talks (It will not be fair, the standing is not fair. That’s why what we are pushing for are multilateral talks),” she said.

Multilateral talks will involved other stakeholders that have an interest in ensuring freedom of navigation and commerce in WPS.

“Kasi iyong tingin natin, mai-equalize lang iyong footing kapag mayroon tayong mga kakampi na pareho iyong ipinaglalaban sa atin (Because we think, we will be in a more equal footing when we have countries on our side that are fighting for the same thing),” Robredo stressed.

This is why the arbitral win is important because this is the basis for countries to rally behind the Philippines, she said.

The win before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that invalidates China’s nine-dash-line claim will strengthen the resolve of other countries to stand with the Philippines.

“Ito din iyong dahilan, actually. Eto din iyong dahilan kung bakit iyong multilateral talks mas makakatulong para i-protect iyong interest natin kaysa bilateral lang (This is also the reason, actually. This is also the reason why multilateral talks will be more helpful in protecting our interest instead of bilateral only),” Robredo added.

#National Security Council

The #MarcosCabinet: Clarita Carlos, National Security Adviser

Lorenzana all praises for incoming NSA Carlos

Duterte designates Parlade as NSC deputy director-general

Duterte eyes meeting with ex-presidents to discuss West PH Sea issues

Duterte meeting with ex-presidents on West PH Sea issues 'not urgent anymore'

Robredo backs retired military officers’ push for united stand against China