Aquino may raise Spratlys issue with Chinese defense minister on Monday

President Benigno Aquino III will tackle with visiting Chinese defense minister Liang Guanglie a code of conduct over the South China Sea when the Chinese official pays him a courtesy call on Monday. Aquino said the discussions will be in the spirit of maintaining good bilateral relations between the Philippines and China, according to a report on government-run dzRB radio. “Imumungkahi natin na hindi ba pwedeng mabigyan natin ng code of conduct diyan, mag-usap tayo imbes na kung anu-ano sa insidenteng nangyayari," Aquino said. (We will bring up the matter of a code of conduct in the area. Let us talk to smooth out the matter and prevent similar future incidents.) “Siyempre in the interest to maintain good bilateral relations (Of course, the interest is to maintain good bilateral relations)," he added. The Philippine military has confirmed sighting two unidentified jets flying over the disputed Spratly Islands last Wednesday, although it was not able to establish the origin of the aircraft. Goodwill visit On the same day that he would meet with Aquino, Guanglie, who arrived in the country on Saturday, would also meet with Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in Camp Aguinaldo. Military and defense officials, however, are tight-lipped on the possible agenda. “It’s a goodwill visit," said Defense Secretary Eduardo Batac, adding that they are “restricted" from giving information about the meeting. “We are restricted from giving information outside of what they (Chinese) authorized to be released. We have to respect the request of the Chinese," said Batac on Sunday. Mystery jets Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte admitted the Philippine government does not have enough bases to lodge a protest against China over last week’s sighting, at least at this time. “Kahit na-confirm there was an intrusion, if we cannot identify kanino ang jet na ito, kanino tayo magko-complain kung di natin alam?" she said on government-run dzRB radio earlier. (Even if we confirm there was an intrusion, if we cannot identify whose jets those were, to whom will we file a complaint.) Aside from the Philippines and China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan are also contesting the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. In his arrival statement, Guanglie noted that China and the Philippines are “friendly neighbors" with a friendship that dates far back into the history. He added that the two countries have military cooperation. “I am looking forward to exchanging in-depth views with leaders of the Philippines and its military on issues of common interest. I am confident that with the thoughtful arrangement of our host, this visit will achieve its due purpose," Guanglie said. — KBK, GMA News