Amid the maritime row between the Philippines and China over conflicting claims to parts of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada will attend the grand military parade in Beijing, the highlight of the nation’s celebrations for the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan.
Estrada will attend China’s military parade on Thursday, September 3, but not as a Philippine representative but in his capacity as mayor of Manila, according to Manila City Hall media affairs officer Bambi Purisima.
The Manila mayor was invited to attend the occasion because Beijing is the sister city of Manila, Purisima said. He will be accompanied by several Filipino-Chinese business leaders.
The Chinese military parade is seen as an important diplomatic event for the China, the world’s second- largest economy.
Estrada also went to Hong Kong without Palace instruction to offer apologies and some compensation to the families of the victims of the hostage crisis at the Luneta grandstand in 2010.
Estrada said that Aquino did not send him to Hong Kong and the national government should not be faulted since it was the responsibility of his predecessor, former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.
The Department of Foreign Affairs declined to say if any senior official will represent the country at the parade even though China and the Philippines were invaded by Japan during World War II.
Earlier, DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said that the present territorial issue with China would not affect its ties with Beijing, saying “it is not the total sum of our relationship with China”.
Both countries have been strained over their conflicting claims to parts of the South China Sea. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have conflicting claims on the sea.
Manila has been the most vocal in opposing China, publicly accusing it of “bullying” to assert its maritime claim and filing a case before an international tribunal in The Hague, challenging China’s position.
The Manila mayor said he hoped China would help in the modernization of the Philippines and that relations would soon improve.
