‘Phl lost control over Panatag under Noy’

The Philippines lost control over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal under the watch of then president Benigno Aquino III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday.

In an open letter to Aquino, posted on his Facebook page yesterday, Cayetano fired back at the former leader who has been questioning the Duterte administration’s transparency in negotiating with China on the Panatag issue.

The DFA secretary listed several questions he wanted Aquino to answer with regard to the previous administration’s handling of the West Philippine Sea issue.

Cayetano also urged Aquino to offer “alternatives” or “proposals” on how to handle the issue instead of criticizing the present administration.

Aquino’s latest comment that Cayetano’s politics should be as “transparent as his hairstyle” apparently didn’t sit well with the country’s top diplomat.

“It’s regrettable that you chose to play with words, including comparing our haircuts, in responding to an immensely important issue and addressing people’s main questions about the situation at the West Philippine Sea,” Cayetano said.

“While we both lost some of our hair, your administration lost control of Scarborough and a great opportunity to expand tourism, infrastructure and agriculture. We also lost many opportunities for cooperation in fields like science and technology, protection of the environment, among others, all because of the approach you, together with (former DFA) Sec. (Albert) del Rosario and Sen. (Antonio) Trillanes IV, chose to adopt and implement,” he said.

Aquino, he said, should explain how the Philippines lost control of Panatag Shoal to the Chinese. The shoal is also called Bajo de Masinloc.

The Chinese seized Panatag in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippine Navy, which had tried to arrest Chinese poachers and confiscate their catch of baby sharks, giant clams and endangered corals.

Cayetano also questioned Trillanes’ backchannel talks with Beijing, noting that the senator made 16 trips to China as Aquino’s emissary.

“Sen. Trillanes had refused to reveal the purpose and nature of his trips when asked during a Senate session by then Sen. (Juan Ponce) Enrile. Instead he walked out and invoked presidential prerogative so he would not be compelled to respond,” he said.

Cayetano also asked the former president about details of his previous meeting with former US president Barack Obama and whether the US made any commitment on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“What did you discuss with President Obama? He reportedly affirmed to Japan that the mutual defense treaty will be put into action if the Senkaku islands are threatened. Did Mr. Obama tell you that the US does not get involved with territorial disputes like in the WPS?” the DFA secretary said.

Cayetano also asked Aquino about his proposals for oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea.

“Rather than debate which administration is more transparent and/or mislead people on many facets of this complicated situation, may I respectfully request that you answer the questions on people’s minds and help enrich public discussion on the issue,” he said.