Lorenzana: Trust but be cautious

Our governments have agreed to disagree civilly on the WPS issue while we manage our differences, according to Lorenzana. #trustbutbecautious #PhilippineChinaRelations #maritimedispute

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday said the Philippine government trusts China on agreeing to peaceful resolutions of maritime disputes but at the same time wants to be cautious with Beijing.

“Let us trust but we must also be cautious,” Lorenzana said following the two countries’ agreement to resume “peaceful” dialogue on disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and South China Sea while insisting on their respective maritime claims.

“Of course we trust China on their words. It is a regional power and I have no reason to believe that it will renege on any agreements. But at this stage, our governments have agreed to disagree civilly on the WPS issue while we manage our differences,” Lorenzana said in a statement.

“Our relationship with China is not circumscribed by the WPS issue alone. There are far larger issues that we agree upon that benefit both our peoples like trade, tourism, people to people exchanges, etc.,” he added.

According to the defense chief, the “devil” are in the details later on when both countries jointly tap the resources in the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said both the Philippines and China have agreed to refrain from committing “aggressive, provocative” acts in the disputed waters to ease tensions in the area.

However, when sought for comment if government remains hopeful that Beijing will recognize Manila’s maritime claims, Panelo said, “Nothing is impossible between friends, we can always hope for the best.”

But Panelo said, “The (arbitral) ruling is permanent. Whether they like it or not, it’s there.”