Former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario on Sunday, May 2, reminded the government that it is President Rodrigo Duterte’s job to lead the fight against China’s encroachment in the West Philippine Sea.

“On why is the President being counted upon to lead in resolving challenges to sovereignty, it is because this is what presidents must be relied upon to do,” Del Rosario wrote in an open letter addressed to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The letter comes after Medialdea, according to a Philippine Star report, criticized Del Rosario and retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio for urging Duterte to solve problems “they have created” in the West Philippine Sea.

But Del Rosario emphasized that “to defend what is ours is also found in our Constitution,” amid the latest aggression by China in Philippine waters.

Why blame Filipinos?

This is the latest in the heated exchange between the Duterte government and known defenders of the West Philippine Sea in light of the continued presence of Chinese vessels near Julian Felipe Reef.

While Duterte has said he will not compromise on sovereignty, he called China “a good friend” that he does not “want trouble with…especially a war.”

Duterte also previously said there is nothing the Philippines can do against China’s aggressions.

Del Rosario reminded the government that there are “various ways to enforce” the historic 2016 Hague arbitral ruling, including submitting the case before the United Nations General Assembly. As then-foreign secretary, Del Rosario led the Philippines in filing its case against China at The Hague.

“We would like to ask, Mr Secretary, why our fellow Filipinos are being chastised for wanting to defend our country, rather than China?” Del Rosario said.

“Why are we giving more importance to China over that of our own people?” he added.

‘Echo the stand of our President’

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement on Sunday that the government will continue maritime patrols and it “will not waver in its position.”

“As for our long-standing and multi-faceted relationship with China, we maintain cooperation in various areas that are mutually beneficial to our peoples,” Lorenzana said.

“We can be cordial and cooperative with other nations but not at the expense of our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he added.

Lorenzana also defended Duterte against critics, saying that his orders have been “very firm and straightforward.”

“Iyong mga nagsasabi na hindi kami align ng Presidente (Those saying the President and I are not aligned), let me clarify that my pronouncements echo the stand of our President and Commander in Chief,” he said. – Rappler.com