Malacañang on Thursday maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not see the declaration of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan as persona non grata as a solution to ending the word war between Chinese and Filipino officials over disputing stands concerning the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a briefing in Bukidnon, reiterated that the Philippines prefers to resolve the issue in a diplomatic way and leaves it to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro to handle.
Castro said that further discussing and answering the issue about the ambassador would only revive and fuel further discussions.
She said the President is well aware of the necessary measures and actions required to defend the country’s territory and protect its interests in the West Philippine Sea.
“Hindi po ito inaabandona ng ating Pangulo at administrasyon na ito. Hindi pwedeng mawala ni katiting na parte ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas sa ating bansa,” Castro said.
“Kung patungkol sa persona non grata, sa ngayon hindi iyan ang nakikita ng Pangulo na siyang magiging sagot or tugon sa mga mainitang palitan ng mga salita mula sa mga leaders natin dito sa Pilipinas at ang representative mula sa China,” Castro also said.
Castro also reiterated that the issue of the territorial dispute should not affect the trade and bilateral relations between Manila and Beijing.
She again said that Marcos is still set to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Shenzhen in China in November.