MANILA, Philippines — There is no one to blame but China when the Philippines lost Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in 2012, according to former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who was serving under then-President Benigno S. Aquino III during the West Philippine Sea stalemate, a subject of renewed finger-pointing under the Duterte administration.
Del Rosario on Friday issued a statement narrating the events that led to China’s continued occupation of the shoal some 220 km off the coast of Zambales, where it is also known as Bajo de Masinloc.
No hand in order
His explanation came as President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. continued to blame the…
Keep on reading: Only China to blame for PH loss of Panatag, says ex-DFA chief