By Fernan Angeles
DESPITE sanctions imposed by the United States against China for building artificial islands and firing ballistic missiles off the disputed West Philippine Sea, President Duterte appears bent on keeping government contracts with China.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Sangley Airport Development Project, which has been awarded to China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC) and Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp., will push through as planned.
“The Sangley project will push through. The President declared last night that the Americans ay pupuwede po nilang ipatupad ang blacklisting ng mga Chinese companies sa kanilang teritoryo sa America at sa mga base militar na nasa ilalim ng kanilang jurisdiction,” Roque said.
“Malinaw pong sinabi ni President hindi po siya susunod sa direktiba ng mga Amerikano dahil tayo ay malaya at indipendiyenteng bansa at kinakailangan po natin ang mga namumuhunan galing sa bansang Tsina,” Roque said.
The expanded Sangley Airport will have four runways and will be able to accommodate up to 100 million passengers a year. The project’s first phase involves the construction of a runway, connector road, and bridge to the Kawit segment of CAVITEx.
Aside from Sangley, Roque said other projects by Chinese contractors will push through as well.
“So, Sangley and all other projects, kahit sinong Chinese contractor po ‘yan, tuloy tuloy po ‘yan dahil ang national na interest natin ay masigurado na matapos ang mga flagship project sa ilalim ng Build, Build, Build,” Roque said.
“I will be categorical, Sangley project will continue. All other projects, involving Chinese companies that are banned in the United States can continue in the Philippines. We are not a vassal state of any foreign power and we will pursue our national interest,” he added.
Last week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he would recommend the government terminates deals with the US-blacklisted Chinese companies.