The National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday said China also wants to scale down the tension in the West Philippine Sea amid its aggression in the area.
NSC Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya in an interview said that NSC believed that the said claimant in the Philippines’ territory wanted to de-escalate the situation between two countries.
“We feel in the NSC that China also wants to de-escalate the situation.” Malaya said.
On indications that China is now inclined to pursue peace in the area, Malaya said that he does not want to preempt the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) about the matter.
“Ayokong pangunahan ang DFA but ang masasabi ko lang siguro ngayon is there are official, non-official channels na ginagamit natin with China para mahanapan ng common ground and solusyon itong mga problemang ito,” he said.
Malaya, meanwhile, said that the Philippines should have an “open mind” if Beijing decides to discuss the matter.
“That’s why what we have to do now, notwithstanding this, we enter discussions with China with an open-mind. That means, we need to be realistic,” he warned.
“We know that there is a possibility of deception, we are not sure about their sincerity but that does not mean we will not talk with them.”
Malaya said both countries are in a position to find common ground as China’s aggressive actions were being exposed in international media and the Philippines’ soldiers have been hurt because of the turmoil.