‘Agree totally’: Locsin says gov’t should contest China facility on PH-claimed reef

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/12/20190112-teddy-locsin-asem-mnib.jpg"/><figcaption>Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he agreed &quot;totally&quot; with a call to contest China&#x27;s construction efforts in the Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea. <em>File/Malacañang Photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA—Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Saturday said he agreed &quot;totally&quot; with a call to contest China&#x27;s construction efforts on the Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Locsin responded to an ABS-CBN News story, in which Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio said the government must defend the territory where China was reportedly building a maritime rescue center.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Agree totally. We can thank China after it raises the Philippine flag over there—as a start. Nothing more; no statement; nothing; just raise the flag. <a href="https://t.co/6vDlOsYPC9">https://t.co/6vDlOsYPC9</a></p>— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) <a href="https://twitter.com/teddyboylocsin/status/1091521462144364544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/31/19/govt-should-block-china-construction-on-fiery-cross-reef-carpio">Gov&#x27;t should block China construction on Fiery Cross Reef- Carpio</a></li></ul><p>Carpio, a known advocate of Manila&#x27;s rights in the disputed waters, said the government should file a note verbale over China&#x27;s building of a maritime rescue center in the reef.</p><p>Locsin, however, assured Carpio that the administration protests China&#x27;s activities in the disputed sea.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/31/18/philippines-taking-diplomatic-actions-vs-china-over-south-china-sea-activities">Philippines taking &#x27;diplomatic actions&#x27; vs China over South China Sea activities</a></li></ul><p>&quot;SAJ Carpio, we&#x27;re doing that; 18 or 19 so far. No fanfare though; protest is intended for the Chinese not for hysterics in Manila who, sadly, are not foreigners but good God Filipinos so no need to CC protest to them. It gets in the way of diplomacy,&quot; he said.</p><p>Locsin added that he would prefer to engage China &quot;openly on the floor of the UN General Assembly.&quot;</p><p>Malacañang earlier said the Philippines should perhaps be “thankful” for the maritime rescue center.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/31/19/palace-says-ph-should-be-thankful-china-built-rescue-center-on-ph-claimed-reef">Palace says PH should be &#x27;thankful&#x27; China built rescue center on PH-claimed reef</a></li></ul><p>The Philippines and China had long sparred over the South China Sea, but relations have improved considerably under President Rodrigo Duterte.</p><p>China has assured the Philippines it will not occupy new features or territory in the South China Sea, under a new &quot;status quo&quot; brokered by Manila as both sides try to strengthen their relations.</p>

<p>Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he agreed "totally" with a call to contest China's construction efforts in the Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea.</p>

Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he agreed "totally" with a call to contest China's construction efforts in the Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

‘Agree totally’: Locsin says gov’t should contest China facility on PH-claimed reef | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

News

‘Agree totally’: Locsin says gov’t should contest China facility on PH-claimed reef

‘Agree totally’: Locsin says gov’t should contest China facility on PH-claimed reef

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 03, 2019 01:50 AM PHT

|

Updated Feb 03, 2019 02:57 AM PHT

Read More:

Teodoro Locsin Jr

Teddy Locsin

DFA

West Philippine Sea

China

sea dispute

Antonio Carpio

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.