Image by. PAGEONE.ph Befriending China amid the West Philippine Sea dispute is the “better option” for President Duterte than protesting or asserting the country’s victory in the United Nation’s Permanent Court of Arbitration similar to what his predecessor did, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said in countering criticisms from former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Del Rosario, in an interview in another broadsheet, said the Philippines, under Mr. Duterte, is a “willing victim” to China.

“How can we be a willing victim when we have to talk to them and discuss this matter, that is the opinion of Secretary Del Rosario. I respect him being a former secretary of foreign affairs but, my God, considering our circumstance, we have to think of how to approach the problem without antagonizing them unless we recklessly expose the country to possible retaliation,” Enrile told the Daily Tribune.

“Supposed they will retaliate, then influence the other countries where they have extensive investments in energy to limit or control our supply of energy, what will happen to us?” Enrile asked.

The former Senate president said China can cripple Manila’s energy imports if it wants to.

Enrile cited China’s very strong ties with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Angola, Nigeria and Algeria.

“These are major sources of energy. Where will we get our energy if they retaliate to us apart from those countries,” Enrile said.

According to Enrile, taking the non-confrontational stance, like what Mr. Duterte is doing, is the better move for the country.

“We have no choice. Our better option is to befriend China without necessarily distancing ourselves from America,” Enrile said.

“They can hurt us more than we can hurt them,” he stressed.

Enrile said continuous protests against China may only lead to deeper trouble for the country.

“If we protest, they will not talk to us anymore…what will we get out of it? Where do we go? We go to America and cry there? Go to the United Nations? What can UN do? My God,” said Enrile, pointing out that China is a member of the powerful UN Security Council.

“China is a member of the UN Security Council, it can veto us,” he added.

Del Rosario was the incumbent foreign affairs secretary when the tension with China rose following the April 2012 standoff in Panatag Shoal where Philippine Navy elements attempted to apprehend Chinese fishermen caught poaching within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

Then President Noynoy Aquino ordered the pullout two months later, supposedly upon the prodding of Del Rosario, but the Chinese never left the area and started harassing Filipinos venturing into the rich fishing ground.

Enrile in a separate interview during his trial at the Sandiganbayan also refused to grade the performance of the President but noted that he recognizes Duterte’s decision and he agrees with most of his policies, especially on crime, China and the economy.

On the mysterious tarpaulins that bannered “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China” across the capital on the anniversary of Manila’s arbitration victory over Beijing, Enrile believes the incident was done by pranksters.

“Well there are various elements in the country who would like to cause trouble internally,” he said.

Mr. Duterte has not and will not give up the country’s sovereign rights on some of the disputed territories to China, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“The President’s message has been clear, that he’s willing to die for his mother country and I don’t think the Filipino people would cast doubt on this,” Roque said.

The Palace official branded as “red” propaganda the banners, saying the Philippines is already a province of China.

“Since the color (of the tarpaulin) is red, so we will just call it ‘red propaganda,’” he said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III also dismissed Del Rosario’s claims that the Duterte administration is a “willing victim” to China in the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea – citing the efforts being exerted by the National Security Council.