Clarita Carlos, the new National Security Adviser (NSA), said on Thursday that the Marcos government would pursue a “critical engagement” with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) conflict.
Carlos claimed she and President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. discussed the country’s relationship with China at a meeting on Wednesday, according to an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.
“You mentioned the magic word ‘critical,’ yan ang isa sa mga napag-usapan namin ni President Marcos kahapon [that is among the topics that I discussed with President Marcos yesterday],” the professor said.
“Yes, critical engagement with China would be the way to go, and President Marcos already noted it will still be enhanced on all levels,” she added.
On Wednesday, Carlos’ nomination as the next NSA was announced. Former chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. is the current NSA.
Clarita Carlos, a former professor at the University of the Philippines, stated that she accepted the opportunity to become Marcos’ NSA due to her competence in military, security, and foreign affairs.
Next Security Adviser Clarita Carlos will push for ‘critical engagement’ with China
Marcos had previously praised Carlos’ understanding of foreign policy and international politics. She was a panelist in the March SMNI presidential debate, the only election-related debate in which Marcos participated.
On Tuesday, Huang Xilian, China’s ambassador to the Philippines, stated that issues with the Philippines over claims in the West Philippine Sea may be resolved through “bilateral consultation and friendly communication.”
“We are two neighbors who have some differences, but what is crucial is the way and manner we handle the differences,” he said during the turnover of various broadcast equipment donated by China to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
“We need to manage our differences with bilateral consultation and friendly communication,” he added.
From August 17, 1998, to October 15, 2001, Clarita Carlos was the 16th President of the National Defense College of the Philippines, the first female, first civilian, and first female civilian to oversee the institution.
She is a retired University of the Philippines Diliman Political Science Professor.
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