The Office of the President has expressed support for the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) call for careful public messaging regarding China, emphasizing the need to keep diplomacy central as the country hosts upcoming international engagements.
Speaking at a Palace briefing on Tuesday, November 10, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants officials to weigh the diplomatic implications of their public statements.
According to Castro, recent comments from certain officials risked undermining the Philippines’ credibility and weakening its bargaining position.
”Kailangan po nating balansehin ito dahil sabi ko nga po at ang Pangulo din ay nagsabi iba po ang mandato ng DFA, iba ang mandato ng mga nagpuprotekta ng ating interes especially sa West Philippine Sea,” Castro said.
She noted that cautious messaging is vital as the country prepares to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and seeks to finalize the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China.
”Kailangan natin talagang maintindihan kung saan nanggagaling si Secretary Tess Lazaro dahil unang-una tayo po ang host sa ASEAN Summit at may pinu-pursue po tayo na magandang relasyon at sana ay ma-finalize ang COC,” Castro said.
”So, sa mga usapin na mainit naaapektuhan po talaga ang maaaring kahihinatnan nang mas maganda pa sanang relasyon sa ibang bansa not particularly with China kung hindi sa iba pang bansa. At ang nais lamang din ni Secretary Tess Lazaro ay maipakita ang diplomasya,” she added.
Stance on Defense and Security Officials
Despite backing the DFA’s appeal for restraint, Castro clarified that national security agencies, including the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), are not expected to soften their positions when fulfilling their official duties.
”Sa ngayon po ay hindi talaga natin masasabing mali rin ang ibang mga opisyal natin lalung-lalo na sina Secretary Gibo (Teodoro) at ang Philippine Coast Guard sa pangunguna ni Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela,” Castro stated.
”Pero ang nais ng Pangulo: Ang relasyon ay daanin sa diplomasya; kung ano ang pagtatanggol nila para sa ating karapatan maaaring gamitan ng mga salitang may diplomasya,” she reiterated.
When asked if security officials should dial back their public messaging on the West Philippine Sea, Castro maintained that doing so was unnecessary as long as statements align with their institutional mandates.
”Hindi kailangan mag-tone down kung ang mga mensahe nila ay nasa kanilang mandato but still ang nais ng Pangulo, diplomasya,” she concluded.