SUMMARY
MANILA, Philippines – Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on the West Philippine Sea, said on Friday, January 19, that he had “high hopes with moderate expectations,” after the Philippines and China promised to improve its “maritime communication mechanism” not just between diplomats but between its respective coast guards.
Tarriela was responding to Rappler’s request for comment on one of the agreements made during the 8th Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai, China on January 17.
In a statement released on January 18, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the two countries “agreed that continuous dialogue is important to keep peace and stability at sea.”
“Both sides pre…