The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reaffirmed its official account of the November 3 telephone conversation between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable bilateral relations amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement issued Sunday, November 8, the DFA reminded government officials that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the chief architect of Philippine foreign policy and that all agencies must remain aligned with his administration’s diplomatic direction.
The department also cautioned against public statements that could undermine the government’s diplomatic efforts or create an impression of division within the administration.
“Transparency is a tool, not a strategy in itself,” the DFA stressed, noting that documenting and publicizing incidents in the West Philippine Sea must complement diplomacy, international law, and other government measures.
The DFA further emphasized that diplomatic engagement should not be mistaken for appeasement, saying that defending national sovereignty requires both firmness and responsible dialogue.
It maintained that differences within the government should be addressed through established inter-agency mechanisms rather than conflicting public statements.
