Let's Keep Talking Peace to China, Whether Formal or Informal-Marcos

Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. continued his stance for a peaceful solution in the ongoing territorial dispute between the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China.

"I think dapat ipagpatuloy natin iyung ating sinimulang adjudication sa UN dahil maliwanag naman na ang pagkakataon na ito is an opportunity for the Philippines to make its case in an objective forum. It's good development for the Pilipinas na tinanggap ang kaso ng UN adjudication," said Marcos in an interview with Leo Lastimosa on DYAB Cebu Radio.

Marcos asserted," The Philippines should take every opportunity to talk to the Chinese, whether it be formal or informal talks. "

According to the Senator, the problem will not solve itself and there should be a solution to this ongoing territorial dispute.

Senator Marcos acknowledged the newfound willingness of the Chinese government to engage in talks with their Filipino counterparts on the basis of International Law is a productive development, "...noong nakaraan, ang sinasabi nila basta iyung kanilang 9 dash, basta't iyun ang susundan."

"Tayo naman ay sinasabi natin, kailangan sundan natin ang UNCLOS or iyung International Law. For the first time ay pumayag iyung China na pag-usapan within the framework of International Law," Marcos said.

Senator Marcos gave what he called "preliminary confidence building steps" in order to lessen the tensions between the Filipinos and the Chinese citing the example of the Filipino and Chinese fishermen who used to trawl in harmony in disputed waters.

"Sila'y nagsasama, sila'y nag-uusap, pagka nagpapahinga sila'y kumakain ng sabay bago ituloy ang kanilang pangingisda," Marcos concluded.