By Macon Ramos-Araneta
Senator JV Ejercito rallied behind senators’ suggestion to make a special envoy to China former president Rodrigo Duterte.
During his recent weeklong visit to China, Duterte told Chinese President Xi Jinping in China to look kindly on the Philippines on the issue of West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“That would be a good suggestion, making him super envoy to China,” said Ejercito. He said it is important that “lines are open, with regards to our maritime dispute with China.” “Personally, I don’t like what China is doing, but ties are important,” said Ejercito. He noted that the lines between the two countries should be open and was included in the recently-approved Senate Resolution 178 which condemns China’s incursions on the territory and harassment on Filipino fishermen, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy.
He pointed out it is an “open book” that the former President is very close to China. “And I think former president Duterte would make a good, (envoy). “It’s very important to have communication lines open and there’s continuing dialogues,” stressed Ejercito.
While there might be misunderstanding, Ejercito said it is still better that lines are open. Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, former presidential assistant of Duterte said he agreed with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano that Duterte has a good relationship with China’s president. “They are friends, they understand each other and they can easily talk to each other,” Go added.
Cayetano Said there’s no doubt that Duterte is one of the best representatives of the country when talking to the Chinese government because of his relationship with Jinping. Cayetano, who served as Duterte’s Foreign Affairs secretary from 2017 to 2018, said the former president has also gained the trust and respect of the Chinese government in the highest levels.
“If ever we know someone who can go to the highest levels of the Chinese government that the Chinese government trusts and the Filipino trusts, it’s Duterte. But then we have to come out with a strategy that is both comprehensive and that will work in the short and long term. When asked about Duterte’s seemingly comfortable relationship with China, Cayetano said he never saw the former president compromise on anything regarding the Philippines.
He emphasized there is urgency on the need for back-channel talks with China to ensure the stability not only of China and Philippine relations but also of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Cayetano, however, clarified that Duterte should be tapped only for urgent messages and not the daily grind of talking.
He said the government needs to strike a balance between handling ties with China and the challenges the country is facing in the backdrop of high inflation and increasing food prices worldwide. He pointed out that foreign policy and the economy are inextricably linked, especially with contentious issues such as the WPS.
The suggestion made by Cayetano got the support of Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said that “anyone, including former president Duterte, who can help,” would be welcome.
