Hushed talks

Other than the official statement released by Malacañang Palace, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste supposedly strongly backed the Philippine position to adhere to the rules-based international laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the disputed overlapping maritime claims over the South China Sea. This is not to doubt the official statement issued at the end of the one-on-one talks of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) with Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta last Friday at Malacañang.

PBBM disclosed such support in a joint press conference with President Ramos-Horta after their tete-a-tete meeting where both of them reaffirmed the firm bilateral relations of the Philippines and Timor-Leste. The two countries officially forged diplomatic ties 21 years ago. President Ramos-Horta arrived in Manila on Wednesday for his state visit. Ramos-Horta led his Timorese delegation in bilateral talks with PBBM along with some of the counterpart Cabinet officials of his visitor.

Prior to his arrival, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would be present for the reception of Timorese delegation.

After the bilateral talks in Malacañang, the PCO issued a statement that both the Philippines and Timor-Leste have agreed to work together on civilian commercial aviation, social security agreement for professionals, and educational cooperation between their higher learning institutions.

Curiously, the PCO did not mention any discussion done by the two leaders on the celebrated presence in Timor-Leste of a fugitive from justice – ousted Negros Oriental Congressman Arnulfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. Being one of the most wanted man in the Philippines, Teves was seen in Timor-Leste roaming freely and even welcoming celebrity visitors like world boxing champion, former Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao flew last Sept. 22 to Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste where Teves gleefully hugged and even walked along