DFA chief warns ex-diplomats over comments on sea dispute

An aerial photo taken though a glass window of a Philippine military plane shows the alleged on-going land reclamation by China on mischief reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, Philippines, May 11, 2015. REUTERS/Ritchie B. Tongo/Pool

   

Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has cautioned former senior diplomats from making statements that are contrary to the government’s position on the West Philippine Sea issue.

Former Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rosario Manalo and former Philippine Representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja earlier said that Manila should hold bilateral talks with Beijing to ease maritime tensions as a ruling by an international arbitral tribunal will in no way solve the dispute.

Manalo later clarified in a letter read by spokesperson Charles Jose that she is “not opposed to efforts of the Aquino administration in managing diplomatically and legally the South China Sea concerns.”
Manalo led the High-Level task Force on Asean Charter, while Baja represented the Philippines in negotiations of Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea.

In an interview, Almendras said there are certain “conventions in diplomacy” that require diplomats to abide by certain opinions.

“For example, me, I will never make a diplomatic comment when I’m no longer a secretary of foreign affairs because it impacts the country,” the outgoing official said.
The Aquino administration has refused to hold bilateral talks with China and instead filed a case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague that questions China’s excessive nine-dash line claim.

The ruling, which is widely-expected to favor the Philippines, will be handed down on July 7, according to a source.

But for Baja, also a former Foreign Affairs undersecretary, he insisted that he can advocate for anything “without government restriction.”

“I don’t know what Convention he (referring to Almendras) is talking about. What’s the matter with him? I doubt very much if there is a convention that stops any diplomat (from voicing their opinion on foreign policy matters),” said Baja over the phone.

Irked, the diplomat further argued that even incoming Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. wanted to pursue bilateral talks with China.

“So what’s the matter with the current secretary?” Baja asked.

Manalo was not available to comment on Almendras’ statement as she is currently at the United Nations in New York, USA to campaign for a seat at the UN Committee to monitor Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).