Duterte bans Philippines cabinet from public remarks on South China Sea
Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the waterway, which China claims almost entirely, flared in March after hundreds of Chinese boats were spotted inside Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announces the disbandment of police operations against illegal drugs at the Malacanang palace in Manila, Philippines January 29, 2017.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has banned his cabinet from speaking out in public on the South China Sea dispute, after key ministers engaged in a war of words with Beijing.
Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the waterway, which China claims almost entirely, flared in March after hundreds of Chinese boats were spotted inside the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.
While Duterte has been reluctant to confront China over the issue, his foreign and defence secretaries have repeatedly criticised Beijing for its refusal to withdraw the ships from the disputed waters.
Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin tweeted an expletive-tagged demand for the Chinese vessels to leave the area.
READ MORE: Philippines: Chinese vessels 'swarming' area around disputed islands
Duterte is completely correct. It is meaningless for now—for the purpose of retaking possession of what China took from us because we let it. And he is right not to take it to the UN where China has the votes, as the proud authors of the Arbitral Award keep insisting for purposes https://t.co/d1cPLQNcMt
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 17, 2021
His online swearing prompted a rebuke from Beijing and Locsin later apologised to his Chinese counterpart.
"This is my order now to the cabinet... to refrain (from) discussing this West Philippine Sea (issue) with... anybody," Duterte said in a recorded speech late Monday, using the local name for the sea.
"If we have to talk, we talk only among us," Duterte told several cabinet members, including Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who previously described the presence of Chinese boats as an "incursion".
READ MORE: US, Philippines worried by Beijing ‘militia’ build-up in South China Sea
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was allowed to address the issue in public, Duterte added.
China has ignored a 2016 international tribunal decision that declared its historical claim over most of the South China Sea to be without basis.
Duterte has set aside the ruling in exchange for promises of trade and investment from China that critics say have largely not materialised.
READ MORE: Philippines asks Chinese flotilla of 200 vessels to leave disputed reef
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