Press Release No. 016-03
13 January 2003
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CONVEYS PHILIPPINE POSITION ON CERTAIN ISSUES TO U.S. OFFICIALS

The Department of Foreign Affairs today asked the U.S. Embassy to come to the Department in order for it to convey to U.S. officials the position and sentiments of the Philippine Government on the updated Public Announcement the U.S. State Department and the recent actions of a U.S. Department of Commerce official.

Office of American Affairs Executive Director Cristina Ortega today formally conveyed to the U.S. Embassy officials the following:

On the updated Public Announcement of the U.S. State Department:

·    travel advisories paint a very unfair picture, where isolated and disparate events are seen as portraying the situation in the entire country.  We have consistently objected to travel advisories;

·    it is regrettable that the U.S., in reviewing its ‘Public Announcement’ on the Philippines, did not take into account the situation on the ground -- the fact that other countries have revised or altogether eliminated travel advisories on the Philippines; the fact that embassies that had temporarily closed their doors have resumed full operations; and the fact that Philippine security and intelligence agencies have scored important victories against terrorists.

·    The Philippines will continue to work through diplomatic channels to convince all countries which put out travel advisories on the Philippines to withdraw or amend these advisories.

On the recent actions of a U.S. Department of Commerce official:

·    the Philippines already has a clear idea of the feelings of the United States on the issue of IPR;
·    there is no need to question the Philippines’ sincerity and determination to address IPR issues.  We are exerting every effort to protect intellectual property rights.  Many of our efforts have paid off and we have had some stunning victories in our war against these pirates;

·    the actions of this U.S. official, and his statement questioning our efforts are regrettable and totally uncalled for;

·    rather than acknowledge the efforts and gains that the Philippine government have made in protecting IPRs, this official chose to belittle these efforts and preferred to engage in theatrics.  His actions are highly questionable and are actions that we would not expect from a friendly country, particularly since there are proper diplomatic and official venues and fora where we can discuss these matters.

On their part, the U.S. Embassy officials reiterated their desire to cooperate in clarifying these matters and committed to convey the sentiments and positions of the Philippine Government to Washington. END.