THE government is acquiring a new technology that will verify the reports that China has deployed missile systems in the disputed West Philippine Sea, Malacañang said Monday.
The latest media reports showed that China had deployed missiles to the Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef within the past 30 days. Earlier reports said China had installed a jamming device in one of the areas in the disputed waters.
In other developments:
• Foreign Affairs Secretary on Monday admitted the Philippines had no capability to stop China’s activities in the disputed areas, but it would continue topursue “diplomatic action” in dealing with it.
He said the Philippines will continue to negotiate with China in a friendly manner rather than go to war.
• Rep. Ed Lagman on Monday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s “inordinately lame response” to China’s missile build-up in the West Philippine Sea.
“Instead of immediately ordering the filing of a diplomatic protest and instituting other viable options against China under international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Duterte is banking on China’s alleged promise of protecting the Philippines,” Lagman said.
• Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday said he will seek a senate investigation of the Chinese leaders’ militarizing of the illegally reclaimed islands in the West Philippine Sea.
“Yes, the resolution in relation to reported missile installation and overall militarization by China of the WPS is still being drafted,” Trillanes said.
• Senator Francis Escudero said he respects the right or prerogative of any senator to conduct an inquiry on any matter.
“I don’t think it will affect national security or our diplomatic relations given that it will be in executive session,” Pangilinan said.
• Senator Risa Hontiveros rued the Duterte administration’s “sheepish response” to China’s installation of missiles in the reefs in the West Philippine Sea.
She called it “a grave insult to the bravery and sacrifices of Filipino soldiers who are guarding the country’s territories.”
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Monday the Department of Foreign Affairs had not yet verified if the reports of missile deployments were true, but the government was exerting efforts to verify by acquiring a new technology, according to National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
“We still do not have the verification. I had a talk with the National Security Adviser and he told me that there’s a technology that we need that we still don’t have to be able to verify it for ourselves,” Roque said.
He did not give further details about the kind of technology to be used or which country the Philippines would be acquiring it from.
“I’m not sure from what country. He [Esperon] says that we’re awaiting delivery but we don’t have that capacity yet,” Roque said.
He said while the government could get information about the reported missile deployment from third-party sources, it was best to confirm through first-party verification.
“There’s still a technology we are awaiting to verify everything. There is a way of verifying for ourselves,” Roque said.
He said the Philippine government was not closing its doors to asking China about the reported missile deployment but maintained it will be for Foreign Affairs to carry it out.
“I’m not saying we’re not going to ask China, but the DFA will exercise all diplomatic initiatives and we leave it to the DFA,” Roque said.