Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press conference on Tuesday, August 30, “Maybe the best thing to do is just test the waters."
President Rodrigo Duterte made an appeal to China to allow our fishermen in disputed waters of West Philippine sea, but Malacañang Palace still remains doubtful if China would allow Filipinos to fish at the disputed waters.
“Proceed with caution,” Abella said for the Filipino fishermen who got harassed by Chinese coastguard in West Philippine Sea.
Amid his discourse at the National Heroes' Day in Taguig City on Monday, the President encouraged China to consider the situation of poor Filipino fishermen and permit them to fish in the debated waters.
“That’s exactly one of the things na inilapit yata ng Presidente – to treat our people not as enemies; let us not be adversaries but instead let’s be friends, parang ganon; to allow them to be able to fish,” Abella added.
In a statement, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua told reporters that, “I do not know the situation on the sea but we are looking on the possibility.”
Abella said that the statement of Chinese Ambassador is “a window of opportunity.”
“There may be kinks in the relationship but there is a positive opening," Abella said.
Duterte has reiterated that the bilateral talks between Philippines and China regarding the territorial claims on the West Philippine Sea ought to be founded on the decision of the United Nations arbitral tribunal, which supports the Philippines' claims.
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Source: Inquirer