DFA: No ‘request’ to use Clark as Pelosi’s transit point to Taiwan
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said there was no “request” from the United States government for US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to be granted clearance to use the Philippines as a transit point for her supposed trip to Taiwan.
DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza told reporters, “the DFA has not received any request from the US government or their Embassy in Manila for Speaker Pelosi to transit and/or visit the Philippines as part of her current swing of visits to the region.”
Daza’s statement was issued following queries about online news reports that Pelosi would be taking off from Clark en route to Taiwan.
The spokesperson explained for officials like Pelosi, a request would be coursed through the DFA, which will then coordinate with other relevant offices.
“For example, if it is for landing, then it will be with the airport, among others,” she said.
The US and the Philippines adopt the “One-China policy”, recognizing the People’s Republic of China as the sole Chinese government.
“The Philippines continues to adhere to the One-China policy. It, however, has strong commercial and cultural ties with Taiwan. The Philippines has a Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei just as Taiwan has its TECO in Manila,” Daza said.
China firmly opposed and sternly condemned Pelosi’s visit, saying Beijing has made serious demarche and strong protests against the US.
In a separate statement, The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan “is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provision of the three China-US joint communique.”
The statement said, “it severely impacts the political foundation of China-US relations and seriously infringes upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The statement added, “it gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for ‘Taiwan Independence’”.
