Locsin To China: Get The F**k Out Of Phl Waters

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. told China on Monday, May 3, to “get the f*** out” of Philippine waters as he filed two more diplomatic protests over the “incessant, illegal” presence of its fishing boats in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and its coast guards’ “shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuver and radio challenges” against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see… O…GET THE F**K OUT. What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We’re trying. You. You’re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province,” Locsin tweeted.

He defended his brash remarks, saying, “Usual suave diplomatic speak gets nothing done.”

China has consistently ignored Manila’s demand that it withdraw its vessels from Philippine waters, particularly from the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef. In its demand, the Philippines said Chinese militia and coast guard vessels “blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”

He reminded Beijing of President Duterte’s message before the United Nations that the 2016 arbitral ruling has reaffirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements and invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line claim.

“What is so hard to understand about Duterte’s UN declaration that the Arbitral Award made all maritime features Philippines’; no one else’s?” Locsin said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte’s appeal for China to remove its ships in Julian Felipe Reef was not ignored as fewer vessels were seen in the area after his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.

“Because of the conversation between Huang and our President, the number (of ships in the area) went down, 136 left and that’s the first batch and for the second batch, another 65... so 201 (ships) left from the original 220,” Roque said in a press briefing.

“So let us not say that our President was ignored because only about 20 ships remained there. And I think the 201 fishing vessels left because of the message of the President and the warm relations that we enjoy with China,” he said.

“With regard to the remaining few, we’re still hoping that they will leave,” he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Monday the filing of two more diplomatic protests as it rejected the April 26 statement of the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that China enjoys sovereignty over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the WPS.

“It is without basis in international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and is not recognized by the international community,” the DFA said, referring to the Chinese official’s statement.

Manila also protested China’s demanding a stop to the Philippines’ maritime patrols and training exercises.

“The Philippines’ conduct of maritime patrols and training exercises in these areas is a legitimate and routine act of a sovereign country in its territory and territorial waters and is part of the Philippines’ administrative responsibility,” the DFA said.

The DFA also reiterated its calls on China to withdraw its vessels from the Kalayaan Island Group and Panatag Shoal.

“China has no law enforcement rights in these areas. The presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the Philippines’ territorial waters of Pag-asa Islands and Bajo de Masinloc, and exclusive economic zone, raises serious concern,” it said.

Ready to defend national interest

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana pointed out China’s military superiority would not stop the Philippines from defending itself with whatever it has.

“While we acknowledge that China’s military capability is more advanced than ours, this does not deter us from defending our national interest and our dignity as a people, with all that we have,” Lorenzana said in a video message on Sunday, May 2, stressing that patrols by the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) around Kalayaan Group and other areas in the WPS will continue.

“The government will not waver in its position. Walang alisan,” he said, noting that the goal is to defend the territory without going to war.

“President Duterte’s orders to us have been very firm and straightforward: defend what is rightfully ours without going to war and maintain the peace in the seas,” he said.

“To those saying we are not aligned with the President, let me clarify that my pronouncements echo the stand of our President and commander-in-chief,” Lorenzana emphasized.

He said the country’s relationship with China is multi-faceted and there are various areas that are mutually beneficial to both countries.

“We can be cordial and cooperative with other nations but not at the expense of our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he added.

Amid the menacing presence of Chinese vessels, the PCG described as successful the first leg of its training exercises in the WPS with BFAR.

“Our people and assets are our greatest weapons for maritime security. Rest assured we will provide all training and support needed to ensure they are equipped and prepared to protect our citizens, especially our local fishermen in our country’s waters,” PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia Jr. said.

Meanwhile, a food security advocacy group warned that the country stands to lose P720 million worth of fisheries per month if the Chinese are allowed to continue fishing in Philippine waters.