Cayetano hit for downplaying Chinese ships near Spratlys

MANILA, Philippines - A barrage of condemnation in social media met Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano’s downplaying the swarming presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island in the Spratlys.

In more than 200 comments posted in the Defense of Republic of the Philippines and in the Defense Forces Forum, netizens denounced Cayetano as a Chinese lapdog and traitor to his country. The two sites cater to defense and military issues.

The sites used as platform of discussions online reports of The STAR on Cayetano’s statement assuring the public that Chinese presence in Philippine waters was no cause for alarm.

“Traitor of the month,” a certain Myk Billones said of Cayetano.

Another called him a spokesman for China masquerading as Department of Foreign Affairs secretary, for comparing the presence of Chinese ships in Philippine waters to the United States conducting freedom of navigation and over flight operations over the South China Sea.

The STAR’s online reports quoted Cayetano as saying that China should not be regarded as an enemy and that it should not be confronted but instead asked to explain its presence in Philippine waters.

A fifth class municipality of  Palawan province, Pag-asa Island is the second biggest island in the Spratly island chain, next to Taiwanese-occupied Itu aba.

Pag-asa is now the seat of Kalayaan town and home to more than 200 residents.

“Why were we not concerned about the US doing freedom of navigation, ang lalaki ng ships nila. You know why? Kasi they’re our allies so if we keep looking at China as the enemy, every time na may movement sila masyado tayong nag-re-react,” Cayetano said.

One Eric Palafox said the Chinese presence was preparation for land grabbing.

“It’s not freedom of navigation that is being undertaken by the Chinese but territorial land grabbing,” said Palafox.

Karl Bryan Anastacio, for his part, said Cayetano desecrated the legacy of Filipino heroes.

Many of the followers of the two social media sites are retired and active military personnel.