Remulla: No KIG talk with China

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said his recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan focused on easing tensions, not the disputed Kalayaan Island Group.

“Hindi namin pinag-usapan ‘yung Kalayaan (We didn’t talk about the Kalayaan issue). Mas pinag-usapan namin ‘yung how to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries. And a lot has to do with cultural exchanges,” Remulla said.

He added that the discussion also covered measures to protect Chinese citizens in the Philippines and to strengthen law and order.

Remulla reiterated Manila’s position on the islands: “It is the Philippines territorial waters. It is our sovereign right to occupy those islands. Plain and simple.”

The Philippines and China remain at odds in the South China Sea, despite a 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling invalidating China’s nine-dash line claim over the West Philippine Sea, which Beijing continues to reject.