Geline Salac

Philippines 'too accommodating' to the Chinese, says historian

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

Why dialogue with Chinese embassy officials when the Chinese continue to intrude into Philippine territorial entitlements and Chinese Coast Guard vessels use water cannon to disable Philippine Coast Guard vessels?Military historian, security and defense analyst Jose Antonio Custodio posed this question amid calls for a dialogue between Philippine senators and Chinese embassy officials.Custodio said moves to muzzle Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, would mean the public would not know about Chinese intrusions in Philippine waters and the use of water cannon to “mission kill” or damage Philippine vessels.He noted the problem with the Philippines is that it is “too accommodating” to the Chinese while failing to stand up for the country’s rights. This is evident with the statements of some legislators to give up the Kalayaan Island Group while also giving a muted response to Chinese aggression, he said.Even the media narrative that the Philippines and China is “fighting for territory” is wrong, Custodio said. “Hindi pinag-aagawan [ang teritoryo]. Our position is not equal to the Chinese. It is ours. Ang exclusive economic zone, atin talaga ‘yan. If there is a problem with the EEZ, it is between ASEAN countries, Malaysia and Indonesia. China is not even a player in this area,” he said.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N6B1E3atrac?&amp;t=82s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>He pointed out that even a “gentleman’s agreement” between Beijing and Manila in Bajo de Masinloc was not honored as it allowed China to maintain control of the shoal. “Ginago tayo. They just want us to shut up,” he said.“You’re stealing our territory and you want us to shut up.”He said that if China is successful in muzzling legislators, the next step would be targeting media. Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros earler said she is <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/16/solon-backs-dialogue-between-ph-lawmakers-chinese-embassy-1631">open to talks</a> with the Chinese embassy in Manila amid the word war between its officials and officials of the Philippine government over the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.&quot;I&#x27;m always open to talks, kung honest brokers at the table yung kausap ng ating bansa. Again, I would go by what the Senate President has said on these matters,&quot;she said.She stressed that international agreements and decisions should be taken into consideration. Last week, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan said they are <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/china-envoy-tells-philippines-let-s-talk-1319">advocating for dialogue</a> and would like to sit down and talk.&quot;We have not been meeting each other enough… This situation must change. And it must change quickly,&quot; Jing said at a Chinese New Year celebration. Jing’s remarks came in the heels of a Senate resolution which condemned the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s remarks criticizing Philippine officials who asserted maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea. Hontiveros was one of the 15 senators who signed the resolution. With a report by Vivienne Gulla and Victoria Tulad,ABS-CBN News<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P18kOwG8GzM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Why dialogue with Chinese embassy officials when the Chinese continue to intrude into Philippine territorial entitlements and Chinese Coast Guard vessels use water cannon to disable Philippine Coast Guard vessels?

Why dialogue with Chinese embassy officials when the Chinese continue to intrude into Philippine territorial entitlements and Chinese Coast Guard vessels use water cannon to disable Philippine Coast Guard vessels?