Statement of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella on Philippine Diplomatic Actions on Issues

04 June 2018

Let me be clear that the Department of Foreign Affairs fully supports the policy of the President that the Philippines will continue to fight for its rights in the South China Sea, and the statement of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs that the “Philippines will not give up a single inch of its territory in the South China Sea.” 

Having said that, we need to underline that since President Duterte assumed office, the Philippines has engaged in 85 diplomatic actions, 35 of which were undertaken by Secretary Allan Peter S. Cayetano. We asserted our rights numerous times in bilateral consultations, in face to face meetings and in written documents.

It is important to understand that in diplomatic engagement, it is the content that matters, in whatever form it is conveyed. 

While some critics may nitpick, it is important that our gains are not only conserved but that our national interest thrives, as a careful accounting will show. END