Lorenzana, ‘duda’ sa sinseridad ng Chinese envoy

May pagdududa si Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sa naging pahayag ni Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua na nais umano ng China ng kapayapaan sa South China Sea (SCS).

“They are saying that they will not... they want peace in South China Sea blah, blah, blah. But it does not match what they are doing on the ground,” pahayag ni Lorenzana sa 2019 Disaster Risk Resilience Summit sa Quezon City.

Ang pahayag ni Lorenzana ay kaugnay ng talumpati ni Zhao sa pagdiriwang ng 92nd founding anniversary ng China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sa Makati City, kung saan sinabi nito na hangad ng China na mapanatili ang polisiya ng “peaceful settlement” sa paglutas ng sigalot sa South China Sea.

“I know you are all concerned about the situation in the South China Sea. I would like to say a few words. The South China Sea issue is not something we have today. It’s being part of the history. But over the four or five decades in the past, China is firm with adhering to the policy of peaceful settlement and this policy will remain and will continue,” pahayag ni Zhao.

“Despite the differences we have, we are ready to discuss with claimants over the differences we have. We always believe by law is much better than confrontation,” dagdag pa niya.

Gayunman, sinabi ni Defense chief na hanggat hindi nagtutugma ang salita at aksiyon ng gobyerno ng China mananatiling “optics” ang pahayag ni Zhao para mapaganda ang imahe ng China sa mga Pilipino.

“I have heard that version of those speech many times already. I heard that from the mouth of [Chinese President] Xi Jinping when we met him with the President, first time we met in 2016. I heard it from the mouth of other ministers, and then again last Shangrila dialogue, narinig ko na naman ‘yan sa minister of defense nila so nothing new from what they are saying,” dagdag pa niya.

“Sinasabi nila na we do not bully people around, they follow international law, but sabi ko you are not. What you are telling is not what you are doing on the ground so siguro until such time that their action is matched by the words, then doubtful yung mga sinasabi nila,” dagdag pa niya.

“Parang optics lang ‘yan or narrative lang siguro ‘yan para it’s good to be heard. Just to keep us siguro calm or palubag loob sa atin,” diin ni Lorenzana.

Inaangkin ng China ang 80 hanggang 90 porsiyento ng South China Sea, kabilang ang bahagi ng West Philippine Sea, na sakop ng 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ)ng Pilipinas.

Nitong Hunyo 9, muling uminit ang sigalot ng dalawang bansa, matapos umanong palubugin ng Chinese vessel ang bansang pangisda ng mga Pilipino sa bahagi ng Recto o Reed Bank.