SUMMARY
MANILA, Philippines – In a rare move, Chinese-Filipino business groups and civic organizations have issued a collective statement calling for a “de-escalation” of bilateral tensions between the Philippines and China more than a week after a Philippine soldier lost his thumb in another clash between the two countries in the West Philippine Sea.
In a paid advertisement published in select newspapers on Thursday, June 27, 33 major Chinese-Filipino organizations expressed support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “call for diplomacy” in handling the dispute between the two countries in the West Philippine Sea.
More importantly, however, the groups stressed the need to “consider paths” that will “safeguard the peace.”
“We appeal to the governments of the Philippines and Chin…