By
Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
November
12, 2017, 6:36 pm
MANILA
-- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday
said the Philippines appreciates the offer of United States President Donald
Trump to fill in a mediator role in the existing dispute between China and
littoral countries in the South China Sea.
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| U.S. President Donald Trump |
"We
thank him for it. It’s a very kind, generous offer because he is a good
mediator," Cayetano said in an ambush interview at the Marriott Hotel.
"He is the master of the art of the deal."
While
Manila appreciates Trump's "honest" offer, Cayetano said claimant
countries in the contested waters must first give their take on the proposal.
"Of
course, the claimant countries have to answer as a group or individually, and not
one country can just give an instant reply because mediation involves all of
the claimants and non-claimants," he pointed out.
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| DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano |
He
reaffirmed that the parties involved are "making giant steps forward"
in talking about the code of conduct, a stronger document compared to the
non-binding 2002 Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea.
Cayetano
also noted that claimants are making progress on talks about preserving marine
life, allowing fishermen to continue livelihood in the area, having less navy
and most coast guards and more cooperation among others.
"In
any conflict around the world, you want peace and stability. So we welcome that
offer, let's see how everyone's response. In cases like this, the response has
to come from everyone," he said.
During
the interview, he said the American president seems to "want" to have
a better world in general. "He's going far and beyond the American first
and just being there for America. He wants it to be a world of peace and
stability and we thank him for that."
Trump
during his visit to Vietnam was quoted as saying: "If I can help mediate
or arbitrate, please let me know.”
