If you watched the Philippine presidential election debate on the 24th, you may find that the US election is nothing, the Philippines has a dozen " Trump ". Although all the candidates hope to resolve the South China Sea disputes through diplomatic channels, shocking remarks such as "If China is defeated and surrenders, how will we feed them?" and "If they (China) kill me, please cry for me" are still There are many.
According to the Philippine "Manila Times" on the 24th, the Philippine Election Commission held the third and final presidential candidate televised debate on the 24th. "Sea disputes dominated the final debate of the presidential election." As for the South China Sea policy and diplomacy with China, which have always been hot topics, the candidates still "don't stop talking without surprising."
Senator Grace Poe
Senator Grace Poe said that the South China Sea is not "China's aquarium" and if she is elected president, she will ensure that Filipino fishermen can move freely in the area without any restrictions. China threatens.
She said her government will provide the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with sufficient patrol boats to protect fishermen, and will also provide fishermen with communication equipment to facilitate them to call the guard in emergencies.
Her above statement was in response to a question from a fisherman from Pangasinan Province in the Philippines who had been "threatened by China" in the South China Sea.
In addition to providing police force to protect fishermen, Grace Fu also said that she will ask Philippine allies to prove their friendship and provide assistance.
"We can seek their help without giving up our sovereignty, but we also have to fight for the territory."
In addition, Grace Fu also said that she will provide scholarships for the children of fishermen and provide fishing boats for some fishermen. .
Senator Santiago
One of the candidates, female Senator Santiago, believes that legal means can not only solve the Philippines' fishing behavior in disputed waters, but also end the South China Sea dispute.
"If they come into our waters and harvest our seafood, as I said when I was immigration director, I will ask the Coast Guard to bomb them," she said, to applause from the audience.
Santiago said that the Philippines should talk to China and tell China that the international community stands behind the Philippines on the issue of safeguarding sovereignty in the South China Sea.
She repeatedly reiterated the importance of diplomacy, and pretended to be relaxed and joked that a "defeated" China would be a burden to the Philippines.
"It is easy to suggest a war with China. But if China is defeated and surrenders, how will we feed them?" This remark caused a burst of laughter from the audience. According to reports, China has a population of more than 1 billion.
Philippine Vice President Binay
Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay believes that negotiating with China is a priority to win the Philippines’ fishing rights in the South China Sea. However, he also said he would provide assistance to Filipino fishermen.
He told a fisherman in Asinan province, "I understand your suffering. While negotiating (with China), we will provide you with financial assistance to survive."
Davao Mayor Dute
Duterte, the current frontrunner in the presidential election, the mayor of Davao and the "Trump of the Philippines" said that day that if the Philippines wins the "South China Sea Arbitration Case" and China refuses to recognize it, despite going to war with China and It's not among his options, but he will still push for the Philippines to stake its claim.
He said he would go to China, reiterating his previous statement that he would also ride a jet ski to the Nansha Islands and plant the Philippine flag.
"I will say, this is our territory, you can do whatever you want to me, I don't care. I will state this... I have always dreamed of being a hero. If they kill me, if you will, please Cry for me."
He said: "I will ask the Navy to send me to the waters closest to the Spratly Islands, then take a jet ski, bring the Philippine flag, go to their airport there, plant the flag, and chant this is ours."
In order to advance its claims to the South China Sea, the Philippines must provide relevant documents to prove that it actually owns the relevant islands.
Former Interior Secretary Roxas
Former Interior Secretary Roxas ridiculed Duterte's "jet-ski" statement , saying that the presidential election is not a ping-pong game.
He promised to create 10 million jobs in industry and tourism for the Philippines by 2022.
In addition, he also promised to eradicate crime within 6 months. "Crime problems will be passed through law." rather than through violent means. "
said of tired fishermen, "You will be able to participate in the 4P project, and your children will also receive scholarships. "
The so-called 4P project is an assistance project for the poorest people in the Philippines. A family can receive at least 1,400 pesos to ensure that the children of these families can go to school and pregnant women can enjoy prenatal check-ups and other benefits.
Roxas also said that it will be established The new department promotes coordination between the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Philippine Department of Public Works and other departments, strengthens infrastructure, and solves traffic congestion problems.
No matter what gimmicks the Philippine presidential candidates create, China’s position on the South China Sea has always been very clear. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang previously pointed out. He said that China urges the Philippines to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and rights and strictly abide by international laws and international laws such as the Charter of the United Nations. Basic norms governing relations and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, stop all violations of China’s territorial sovereignty and rights, and return to the right track of properly resolving relevant disputes through bilateral negotiations at an early date.
It is reported that the Philippine presidential election will be held on May 9. The Philippine Business Daily reported on the 25th that data released by the Philippine polling agency "Asia Pulse" on the 24th showed that Duterte still expanded his lead in the presidential election with an approval rate of 34%. Fu ranked second with 22% support, Binet and Roxas had 19% and 18% respectively, and Santiago only received 2% support.
(Compiled Observer Network/Long Yang) .
