DFA undecided yet on Miriam request vs Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not yet decided what action will be taken on the request of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to transmit to the Taiwan government the Philippines’ concern on the reported visit of Taiwan’s defense chief and a group of legislators to Taiping Island in the Spratlys this week.

A DFA official, who asked not to be named, said Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo began consultation for the action to be taken on Santiago’s request.

“The DFA is still studying what will be the action on the request. If we will act, then the DFA is studying what will be included in the letter,” the official said.

The official stressed that there is no decision yet on Santiago’s letter to Romulo.

“This is still being discussed. Whether it should be weaker or stronger than the statement the Secretary issued in February, we still don’t know. What is sure is we are aware of it (Santiago’s concern) but there’s no decision yet,” the official added.

Last Feb. 2, the Philippines deplored the landing of Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian on Ligao Island, Kalayaan Island Group, South China Sea, saying it is an “irresponsible” political posturing that is not in any way advantageous to Taiwan.

“It is lamentable that Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian pushed through with his plan to land on Ligao Island,” said Romulo in a strongly-worded statement.

Manila expressed serious concern over this reported development that “works against the joint efforts by claimant countries in the South China Sea to achieve peace and stability in the region in accordance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC).”

The Philippines urged all parties concerned to exercise prudence and self-restraint and use diplomacy as the tool to settle disputes in keeping with the spirit of the DoC.

The Taiwanese leader was reported planning a visit to the Spratlys in the South China Sea to underscore Taipei’s claim to the disputed island group.

The trip was aimed at drumming up support for Frank Hsieh, the ruling independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate in the election.

Chen planned to take an Air Force C-130 transport aircraft to the Taiping Islet, the biggest island in the Spratlys.

Santiago said the Philippines has good grounds to protest because it is a provocative act for Taiwan officials to visit their newly constructed airstrip on Taiping island in the Spratly chain.

Santiago told Romulo in a letter dated May 2 that the government should instead recommend in the protest note that dialogues be held by the Philippine defense secretary and armed forces chief of staff with their Taiwanese counterparts.

Taiwan, China’s renegade province, was aware that the move would invite protests from neighboring countries – including its rival China – which also lays claim to the islands.

Taiwan’s defense ministry began building a 1,150-meter-long runway in the fortified Taiping Islet in mid-2006, despite protest from Vietnam, and the project is nearly complete.

Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China, Malaysia and the Philippines claim all or part of the potentially oil-rich Spratlys. – With Christina Mendez