Castro on VP Duterte’s unfamiliarity with Pax Silica: ‘No comment’

MANILA, Philippines — In what appeared to be a jab at Vice President Sara Duterte’s silence on the Pax Silica initiative, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro also declined to comment on Duterte’s refusal to address one of the country’s most controversial issues. In an interview on July 28, Duterte was asked for her thoughts on the Pax Silica initiative, but she evaded a direct answer. Castro stated, “I will not comment,” when asked about the Vice President’s apparent unfamiliarity with the initiative, which has sparked significant public interest due to its implications for the Philippines’ sovereignty and resource development in the West Philippine Sea. The Pax Silica initiative, proposed by China, involves maritime development activities within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), raising concerns about potential infringements on national sovereignty. The government’s lack of a clear official stance on the matter has amplified public apprehension. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo