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After ministers criticized Beijing regarding the existence of Chinese ships in disputed waterways, an injunction was issued.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte banned the cabinet from publicly discussing the South China Sea dispute after the chief minister condemned Beijing for saying that Chinese ships exist in the disputed waterway.
However, Duterte emphasized on Tuesday that the ban does not mean that the Philippines has wavered in defending its sovereign rights.
After hundreds of Chinese ships were spotted in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or the West Philippine Sea, tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea (almost fully claimed by China) broke out in March.
Duterte has been reluctant to confront China on this issue, but his foreign and defense ministers have Repeated criticism Beijing-including a tweet laden with anger-refused to withdraw the ship from the disputed waters.
Duterte said in a televised speech later on Monday: “This is my order to the Cabinet now. All those who have various conversations with the government, do not discuss the West Philippine Sea with anyone.”
He said: “If we speak, we are only speaking among us.”
But the Philippine leader later clarified that his order should not be interpreted as weakness, and said on Tuesday that maritime patrols must continue.
Duterte said in a statement: “Our agency has been instructed to take the actions it must and should take to protect and defend our country’s interests.” “We will not shake our position.”
Beijing claims to own almost the entire South China Sea, and has built missile-equipped military installations on reefs in disputed areas including the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as well as coast guards and fishing boats.
Although China’s behavior has always been a problem for Duterte, the President of the Philippines has avoided criticizing Beijing and instead praised its leadership in the hope of obtaining large investments.
But his method frustrated nationalists.
On March 27, 2021, Chinese ships believed to be maneuvered by Chinese maritime militiamen were seen in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. [File: Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/Handout via Reuters]
In early May, Duterte’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr took to Twitter to ask China to leave the waterways.
“China, my friend, how should I treat it politely? Let me see…oh…come out quickly,” Locsin wrote.
The foreign minister’s swearing-in online drew condemnation from Beijing, and he later apologized to the Chinese Foreign Minister.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque told reporters on Tuesday that because Locsin is part of its portfolio, it is still allowed to resolve the issue in public.
“The President’s instructions are clear. Rock said at the press conference: “Now only the Minister of Foreign Affairs and myself can speak on this issue. “
Analysts say that the order of interrogation and ordering can reduce rhetorical pressure.
Aaron Jed Rabena of Asia-Pacific Development Path, a Manila-based think tank, said: “Considering the mixed signals, President Duterte may have realized that the time for his administration is now Speak.”
He told Reuters that different sources indicated that “one government is not coordinating.”
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