‘Walang bastusan’: Zubiri to tone down WPS remarks as PH hosts int’l forum

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — While vocal against China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday promised to “tone down” his statements during the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in the country with high-level Chinese officials in attendance.

“It’s an international forum so kailangan dito walang bastusan. Kailangan dito very diplomatic and i-moderate natin ‘yung ating hinaing,” Zubiri told reporters.

“We’re trying to make sure na hindi naman siya combative kasi ayaw naman natin na aalis na ‘yung mga miyembro ng APPF sa Pilipinas with a sour taste in their mouth,” he added.

[Translation: It’s an international forum so no rude remarks. We need to be very diplomatic and moderate our complaints. We’re trying to make sure it’s not combative because we don’t want APPF members to leave with a sour taste in their mouth.]

The Senate passed a resolution strongly condemning China’s intrusions, including the harassment of Filipino fishermen, in the WPS. Crossing party lines, lawmakers from the majority and minority have been united in calling out China’s «bullying.»

As Chinese parliamentarians confirmed their attendance to the APPF, Zubiri said he does not want chaos.

“We’re trying to promote peace and stability… Ayaw naman natin na agad agad on battle mode na kaagad ‘yung Pilipinas (We don’t want the Philippines to be on battle mode)” he added.

The Senate leader said he will not compromise the country's position in the long-standing maritime dispute and will continue to push for “peace, security, and stability in the region, freedom of navigation, and respect for each other.”

The WPS issue may be discussed during breakout sessions of the political security and regional cooperation committees, Zubiri said.

He also said lawmakers, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs, have prepared a draft resolution, which they hope will be adopted by all 19 participating countries by the end of the forum.

“What we want is to be able to come up with a resolution that will generally be accepted by all,” he added.

The 31st APPF will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in