The Department of the Interior and Local Government is in talks with the Chinese Embassy to explore measures aimed at easing tensions between Manila and Beijing through enhanced law enforcement coordination and cultural exchanges, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla confirmed Friday.
Remulla met with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on peace and order, particularly in safeguarding Chinese nationals in the Philippines.
According to Remulla, the dialogue centered on “practical measures” to help de-escalate tensions and improve mutual understanding between the two countries.
He clarified that the meeting did not cover the Philippines’ sovereign claims over the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea.
“We didn’t talk about Kalayaan. We talked more about how to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries. And a lot has to do with cultural exchanges,” Remulla said.
“We help each other a lot with law and order, with peace and order, so that’s all we talked about. But, as far as Kalayaan, we didn’t talk about it,” he added.
Despite this, Remulla reiterated Manila’s position on the Kalayaan Island Group, stating that the country retains its sovereign right to occupy them.
“It is in the Philippines’ territorial waters. It is our sovereign right to occupy those islands. Plain and simple,” he said.
As of press time, the Department of Foreign Affairs had yet to comment on China’s move to talk to the government through the DILG and Remulla.
