Gatchalian back PH-China back-channel talks instead of sending ships to Reed Bank

CNN Philippines

A senator pushes for back-channel talks between the Philippines and China instead of sending ships to Reed Bank in the West Philippine Sea following recent incidents.  Eimor Santos has the details.   Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 Senator Wynne Gatchalian warns of possible war if the Philippines will send ships to

00:06 Reed Bank or Recto Bank, an underwater reef in the West Philippine Sea.

00:11 This is Gatchalian's response to former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio's

00:17 suggestion that the Philippines should start drilling in Recto Bank in search for oil and

00:22 gas with the impending depletion of the Malampaya gas field.

00:26 "We should follow the example of Malaysia and Indonesia.

00:30 They just went there, they just sent their drill ship and survey ship, protected by their

00:39 navy and with the assistance, show of force of the US and Australia."

00:47 "If we send gray ships, there's a big chance of war.

00:51 We are only sending our civilian ships through the Philippine Coast Guard because our country,

01:00 tayo, we don't want to escalate the situation."

01:03 Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, says we also cannot afford to send

01:09 survey ships or drill ships alone because they will only be blocked by China.

01:15 He's pushing for a more private and thorough discussion through back-channel talks.

01:21 "Well, in normal dialogue right now, everything is in front of media.

01:27 So alam mo, pag nagninagushit, tapos andiyan media, pag-alinyan tayo eh.

01:33 Patigasan tayo eh.

01:36 But if you do back-channeling without external pressure, then we can be more frank and more

01:43 open and also more personal on that note.

01:49 And I believe we can resolve many things by just talking quietly."

01:54 But can the Philippines afford to wait when Recto Bank is seen as the alternative to Malampaya,

02:00 the source of natural gas for Luzon power plants?

02:04 "Nag-extend na yung contract ng Prime Energy.

02:08 So they are allowed to already explore in that area.

02:11 And since Malampaya is already an existing well, and the exploration is only within the

02:17 Malampaya area, from my understanding, wala naman problema to expand Malampaya."

02:24 Gatchalian says there are three most urgent concerns - China's harassment of our supply

02:30 mission to Ayunginshol, intimidation of Filipino fishermen, and deployment of militia vessels

02:37 that are seen to cause maritime incidents.

02:40 Gatchalian says someone trusted by both sides should lead the talks.

02:45 "It can be outside of DFA who has good relationship with China, who can have frank discussions,

02:56 and who can deliver the message of our president."

03:00 Allies earlier suggested former President Rodrigo Duterte to lead the back-channel talks,

03:05 but he has not commented on this.

03:08 He's known to be close to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

03:11 In July, he met with Xi in Beijing, a trip President Marcos said he was aware of.

03:18 Amor Santos, CNN, Philippines.

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