Senator Alan Cayetano urges measured approach to China disputes

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday called for a measured approach to disputes with China, urging the Philippines to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights while pursuing diplomacy to prevent tensions from escalating.

“Trouble should be seen as an opportunity for order, an opportunity for better relations, an opportunity for discussions, an opportunity for diplomacy,” Cayetano said in a Facebook livestream on October 18.

The senator's remarks came amid criticism of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan's statement that China could easily win if it resorted to force against the Philippines, although Beijing preferred peace. The Department of Foreign Affairs described the remark as a “thinly veiled threat.”

Cayetano, a former secretary of foreign affairs, stressed that standing up for the country's rights should not preclude efforts to manage disputes peacefully.

“Yes, we should stand up for our rights. Yes, hindi tayo dapat magpabully sa sarili po nating bansa. Having said that, there is always a way to be able to manage issues and problems. And there's also a way of looking at countries where you have disputes. You don't have a single focal point,” he said.

He warned that escalating disputes could ultimately hurt ordinary Filipinos, emphasizing the need to avoid turning tensions into bigger problems.

“If trouble will end up in bigger trouble, it's the ordinary Filipino who will be in trouble,” he said.

Cayetano also cautioned against the Philippines becoming too deeply involved in the broader rivalry between the United States and China, saying the country must remain focused on domestic concerns while protecting its national interests.

He cited El Niño, electricity and fuel costs, unemployment, investments, corruption, and flood control problems as issues that also require the government's attention.

“If we're going to be dragged in to the US-China dispute and ang magiging paraan na ma-drag in tayo diyan ay ang West Philippine Sea, magsasuffer tayo,” he said.

Cayetano pointed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an example of how countries with differing political, cultural, religious, and ideological backgrounds could work together to maintain regional peace.

He said the Philippines had played a leading role in promoting peace in Southeast Asia through the regional framework.

“Through God's grace and mercy, y’ung ASEAN, the framework played a good role. And you know what? The Philippines was in the forefront — peacemaker po ang Pilipinas,” he said.

Cayetano urged the Philippines to avoid aligning its foreign policy solely with either Washington or Beijing, saying decisions should instead be guided by the country's own interests.

“Don't be pro-US, don't be pro-China, don't be anti-China, don't be anti-US. Be pro-Philippines. Kasi pag pro-Philippines, hindi ka magkakamali,” he said.