Del Rosario breaks silence; indicates staying on as DFA chief

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - Amid speculations that he may be considering on resigning, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario broke his silence on Tuesday, strongly indicating that he would hold on to his post as the country’s top diplomat.

“As Secretary of Foreign Affairs I have sworn to faithfully serve the country. I remain true to my commitment,” Del Rosario said in a statement, which was read before the media by DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez.

Reports of Del Rosario’s resignation surfaced Monday night amid allegations by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that the DFA chief mishandled negotiations on the territorial disputes with China over the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, which is located off the country’s northwestern coast in the West Philippine Sea.

The two nations figured in a tense standoff in April over the shoal, which Philippine officials say lies within the country’s territory.

The standoff eased when Manila withdrew its vessels in June, citing the onset of the stormy season, but Chinese ships have remained in the area.

Trillanes has been appointed as a special envoy by President Benigno Aquino III for backdoor talks with Chinese officials which are separate from official China-Philippine negotiations being overseen by Del Rosario.

The senator claimed his efforts led to the easing of tensions and prevented possible confrontation between China and the Philippines due to the territorial rifts.

Despite Trillanes’ criticisms, Hernandez belied rumors that Del Rosario was quitting his post.

“That report is not true,” Hernandez told a press briefing. “The Secretary has not mentioned any plans of resigning.”

Del Rosario, Hernandez added, has the full backing and support of the DFA.

“The department is fully behind the Secretary and we are guided by his leadership in promoting the national interest of the country,” Hernandez stressed.

Del Rosario is currently in Washington to attend a dialogue hosted by American think-tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Wednesday and will proceed to New York afterwards to represent President Aquino in the 67th United Nations General Assembly.

Hernandez said Del Rosario was “smiling and upbeat” when he was briefed by his staff for the US trip.

There was not even a hint that the President was displeased with Del Rosario as the two were together in Brunei, where they attended the wedding of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s daughter.

“I can say that he has always been focused on his mandate and that is to implement the foreign policy of the President,” Hernandez said.

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