PBBM SEEKS DIALOGUE WITH CHINESE ENVOY OVER REMARKS ON ‘USE OF FORCE’

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines’ remarks suggesting China could easily win if it resorts to force warrant a discussion, describing the statement as sounding like a threat and inconsistent with diplomatic conduct.

The President attended the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) 125th founding anniversary celebration at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Manila when reporters asked him for comments on the statement of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan.

“Well, it sounds very much to me like a threat, and it is not a very diplomatic statement to be made. So, we perhaps would like to understand what exactly it is that he means,” the President said.

When reporters pressed him on whether the Chinese diplomat will be summoned, President Marcos said the matter warranted a direct discussion.

President Marcos has consistently maintained that the Philippines will defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights while pursuing peaceful and diplomatic means of addressing maritime disputes.