Manila, Philippines ? A breakdown of communication between the Philippines and China at the height of the Panatag Shoal dispute could have prompted President Benigno S. Aquino III to explore other options to diffuse the tension, including using a backchannel.
Sometime in April, shortly after reports broke out on the standoff between Chinese ?shing vessels and a Philippine government ship in Panatag Shoal, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) declared that Chinese Ambassador to Manila Ma Keqing relayed to Beijing ?incomplete, inaccurate, and misleading? information about the agreements made in the course of the discussions between the two parties on the incident.
The DFA accused Ma of wrongfully conveying a non-existent agreement of a pullout of all vessels in the area. However, the DFA clarified that this was still being negotiated. What was agreed was for the two parties to refrain from doing anything that would increase the tension in the area.
?It was mentioned in one executive session in Malacanang that the Chinese envoy was already lying. She?s telling a different tune to her home of?ce,? a high-ranking official in the DFA said. ?There was breakdown of communication. The President was aware of the breakdown in communication. It was now a consideration for the President to look for better kind of communication.?
?We informed Beijing that she?s lying and Beijing confirmed, that?s why (Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario) requested that all conversations be recorded because there?s no more con?dence,? the DFA official who spoke on condition of anonimity. ?The motive may be the info being relayed changes when it reaches Beijing due to the internal conflict and the forthcoming change in leadership.?
?Since then (Ambassador Ma) was under gag order,? the source added.
He pointed out that what Aquino wanted when he allowed Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV to undertake backdoor negotiations with the Chinese government regarding the West Philippine Sea dispute was ?to explore other options that would accomplish the same purpose, with the ultimate objective of letting those Chinese ships leave the area, to diffuse tensions.?
?Because we already received intelligence reports about that ongoing politics in China, and the fragmentation between the defense and non-defense leadership might have impact on peace in the area, including in the West Philippines Sea?It may have adverse effect on the peace in the area,? the DFA official said as he noted that certain political groups in China are in fact supporting supporting a conflict.?
Meanwhile, it was not all wine and dine for Aquino when he attended yesterday the wedding of the daughter of the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei.
The President grabbed the opportunity to embark on ?informal diplomacy? with other Asian leaders during the royal wedding in Brunei, according to his deputy spokeswoman Abigail Valte.
?By saying informal diplomacy, as we all know there are a number of leaders that were invited to the wedding and President Aquino may have a chance to engage them in a setting that is informal,? Valte said.
Aquino was among the international dignataries who witnessed the wedding of Princess Hajah Ha?zah Sururul Bolkiah and Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini at the monarch?s palace. The President returned to Manila on Sunday afternoon after the wedding ceremony. (Genalyn D. Kabiling and Roy C. Mabasa)
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Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/communications-breakdown/
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