PH should welcome Chinese president but assert sovereign rights - Catholic bishop
By Roel Tibay
Published Nov 19, 2018 07:09 pm
By Leslie Ann Aquino
A Catholic prelate said like any other visitor, Chinese President Xi Jinping is welcome to visit the Philippines.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes noted that "hospitality" is one of the outstanding characteristics of Filipinos.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes
(PagadianDiocese.org | Manila Bulletin) However, the prelate also believes that the visit offers an opportunity for the Duterte administration to demand from the Chinese official to respect the United Nations ruling on the West Philippine Sea. "Our country has a valid case against the Chinese government - their illegal encroachment to the West Philippine Sea, which is rightfully ours through the international arbitration sponsored by the United Nations. The Chinese government is a bully to all nations that have a rightful claim to the South China Sea. Our country has the claim of a sizable portion of this international body of water," said Bastes in an interview. "Hence, the visit of President Xi is an opportunity for the opposition to the Duterte administration to demand from Xi his respect of the UN judgment that our country has full jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea," he added. "Our opposition leaders should take this opportunity to make a polite and respectful protestation before the Chinese president regarding this illegal meddling of the sovereignty of our country," Bastes said. Although the country may be small and poor in comparison with China, the Sorsogon prelate said as a sovereign nation recognized by the United Nations, the Philippines must be treated with "equal dignity" like all other nations on earth. Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos also expressed hope that President Xi's visit will lead to respect to our sovereignty, common aspirations for peace and amicable solutions to contested waters and islands. "As President Xi stays with us for three days, we hope he will see the real sentiments of our people, may he decide for welfare and wellbeing of people against this proposed Kaliwa dam," he said. Earlier, Catholic prelates opposed the Kaliwa Dam project, one of the infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration that would cost billions to build in Quezon province. According to reports, it will be funded through the Official Development Assistance from China. Bishop Bernardino Cortez of Infanta dismissed project proponents’ claims of benefits, saying it will only bring more problems than gains especially to villagers. President Xi will arrive here on Tuesday, November 20, for a two-day visit.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes(PagadianDiocese.org | Manila Bulletin) However, the prelate also believes that the visit offers an opportunity for the Duterte administration to demand from the Chinese official to respect the United Nations ruling on the West Philippine Sea. "Our country has a valid case against the Chinese government - their illegal encroachment to the West Philippine Sea, which is rightfully ours through the international arbitration sponsored by the United Nations. The Chinese government is a bully to all nations that have a rightful claim to the South China Sea. Our country has the claim of a sizable portion of this international body of water," said Bastes in an interview. "Hence, the visit of President Xi is an opportunity for the opposition to the Duterte administration to demand from Xi his respect of the UN judgment that our country has full jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea," he added. "Our opposition leaders should take this opportunity to make a polite and respectful protestation before the Chinese president regarding this illegal meddling of the sovereignty of our country," Bastes said. Although the country may be small and poor in comparison with China, the Sorsogon prelate said as a sovereign nation recognized by the United Nations, the Philippines must be treated with "equal dignity" like all other nations on earth. Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos also expressed hope that President Xi's visit will lead to respect to our sovereignty, common aspirations for peace and amicable solutions to contested waters and islands. "As President Xi stays with us for three days, we hope he will see the real sentiments of our people, may he decide for welfare and wellbeing of people against this proposed Kaliwa dam," he said. Earlier, Catholic prelates opposed the Kaliwa Dam project, one of the infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration that would cost billions to build in Quezon province. According to reports, it will be funded through the Official Development Assistance from China. Bishop Bernardino Cortez of Infanta dismissed project proponents’ claims of benefits, saying it will only bring more problems than gains especially to villagers. President Xi will arrive here on Tuesday, November 20, for a two-day visit.