The following is the statement of Sen Imee Marcos and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relation
Re: Diplomacy, documentation, and resupplying our personnel in Ayungin Shoal
The first line of defense is diplomacy. Let us settle our conflict in a peaceful manner. We should fully comply with our obligation under the UN Charter to settle conflicts in a peaceful way. China sent us a note to dialogue, let us talk to them.
This time, however, we should document every attempt by our diplomats, Coast Guard, and military personnel to communicate with China. To the extent permissible.
We should make records of these attempts accessible to neutral third parties so that they may verify our efforts and China’s responses thereto. This way, the world can ascertain both countries’ sincerity in engaging in genuine dialogue.
To be clear, we will do whatever is necessary to protect our rights through peaceful means. Resupplying our personnel in Ayungin Shoal is within our legal rights. Thus, if we need larger and more powerful supply ships and PCG escort ships, then we will acquire them, preferably by building them ourselves.
Might does not make right. We will stand our ground because we are in the right.
The Bench Files 
Leave a comment