Presidential aspirant Norberto Gonzales said that China has lost its respect to the Philippines due to the continuous fight over the West Philippine Sea.
Gonzales made the statement during the DZRH's Bakit Ikaw? The Presidential Job Interview aired live on Tuesday, February 1.
"War is not about weapon system, it’s also about showing others that if they're prepared to die, so are we for our territory," Gonzales said.
Gonzales, who served as the Defense Sec. under the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said that countries during his time only sought respect over these matters.
He also noted that the country should stop seeking shelter from the United States each time a problem arises against China over the territorial waters.
"Kaibigang matalik tayo ng mga Amerikano, pero hindi tayo tuta ng mga Amerikano," Gonzales added.
According to the DFA, the Philippines has so far filed 231 diplomatic protests against Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea since 2016.
