Aquino, Cayetano clash over Panatag Shoal

MANILA, Philippines — Google it.

Former president Benigno Aquino III called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to do his research on the West Philippine Sea issue, particularly on Panatag Shoal, before making any comment or criticism against his administration’s policies toward China.

In an open letter posted on Facebook, Cayetano posed several questions to Aquino and revived allegations that the Philippines lost control over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal under Aquino’s watch.

Cayetano was firing back at Aquino, who has been questioning the Duterte administration’s transparency in negotiating with China on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“Your open letter was brought to my attention. I would have to say that the overwhelming bulk of the questions that you put forward could be easily answered through a quick Google search, which would reveal, among others, my statements, our actions, and the positions of the parties who were involved in the matter,” Aquino told Cayetano in his response to the open letter.

“Further, as secretary of foreign affairs, you have at your disposal the files and relevant personnel concerning the issue. What could not be gleaned from a mere review of the record and the various media reports are the details concerning the very thinking behind our actions: why we did, how we did it, and all the political and cultural realities that led to our decision to bring our case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) – the results of which truly changed the equation,” Aquino said.

As a small nation,  Aquino said the Philippines was able to clarify and assert the rights of all before a superpower, China.

“To respond point per point to your questions, which I suspect Beijing has likewise asked in the wake of its defeat before the PCA and world opinion, is akin to presenting them with a gold mine of information and intelligence — a playbook, so to speak — on our country and our very strategy,” Aquino said.

“That would make us predictable. I believe that would indeed make your life, and our country’s position, more difficult should a similar situation arise down the line,” the former president said.

“Alan, I remember you as being very fond of basketball. I ask: Would it be wise to give your team’s playbook to your opponent?” Aquino further said.

Aquino has explained before that the Philippines fought for Panatag Shoal during a stand off in 2012 and that China reneged on a United States-brokered deal for Beijing and Manila to simultaneously leave the area and end the tension.

Cayetano urged Aquino to offer “alternatives” or “proposals” on how to handle the issue instead of criticizing the present administration.

Aquino’s latest comment that Cayetano’s politics should be as “transparent as his hairstyle” apparently didn’t sit well with the country’s top diplomat.

“It’s regrettable that you chose to play with words, including comparing our haircuts, in responding to an immensely important issue and addressing people’s main questions about the situation at the West Philippine Sea,” Cayetano said.

“While we both lost some of our hair, your administration lost control of Scarborough and a great opportunity to expand tourism, infrastructure and agriculture. We also lost many opportunities for cooperation in fields like science and technology, protection of the environment, among others, all because of the approach you, together with (former DFA) Secretary (Albert) del Rosario and Sen. (Antonio) Trillanes IV, chose to adopt and implement,” he said.

Aquino, he said, should explain how the Philippines lost control of Panatag Shoal to the Chinese. The shoal is also called Bajo de Masinloc.

The Chinese seized Panatag in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippine Navy, which had tried to arrest Chinese poachers and confiscate their catch of baby sharks, giant clams and endangered corals. – Aurea Calica, Evelyn Macairan, Christina Mendez