Singer-composer and Dakilang Lahi Foundation president Anthony Castelo released a statement on the ongoing maritime dispute in West Philippine Sea.
“I agree with President Rodrigo Duterte’s stand on the West Philippine sea issue that a joint exploration of resources in the disputed areas would be the best option at this point. The only other option is to go to war against China – which would be tantamount to suicide.” Castelo said.
The OPM icon also believes that the president is a brilliant tactician and has great timing.
“I think the president is doing a one–step- backward and two–steps– forward strategy. He’s doing his best to avoid confrontation with China first and foremost, for the protection and safety of our people while strengthening our armed forces”, Castelo noted in his statement.
“Besides, when the president came into office, the West Philippine Sea situation had already reached gargantuan proportions for him to handle effectively-even with a UNCLOS ruling favoring us”, Castelo emphasized.
Castelo said that after the US bases agreement was terminated in the Philippines in 1992, the balance of power in the region gradually tipped in favor of China. Former President Ferdinand Marcos, Castelo said, as a man of history and master in geo-politics, helped maintain that critical balance of power in the region by keeping the US bases in the country-but under Philippine sovereignty, as he powered up our armed forces throughout his term in office.
“So don’t blame Duterte now, no one did anything since 1992 when China started encroaching on our territories,” Castelo concluded.
