(GMA NEWS) Expressing concerns and protesting aggression in the West Philippine Sea are actions that uphold the rule of law, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said Friday.
Estrada made the remarks during the plenary session on political and security matters of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum held in Pasay City.
“As representatives of our respective governments, it is incumbent upon us to raise serious concerns over recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, which refers to parts of the South China Sea over which the Philippines has sovereign rights, and jurisdictions, as they have the potential to undermine the peace and stability that our nations have collectively worked towards over the years,” the senator said.
“It is in our purview as representatives of the people to address this issue with the utmost diplomatic care and urgency. Let us be clear – the concerns we express are not intended to assign blame or take sides. Instead, they reflect our shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order. It is through these rules that we can navigate the complexities of competing claims and interests in a manner that fosters understanding and preserves regional stability,” he added.
The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, in a July 2016 ruling, already upheld the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea which is 200 nautical miles off territorial sea of the Philippines.
It also junked China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.
The same 2016 Hague decision declared Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank as located within the Philippines’ EEZ as provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas.
Estrada recognized such conflicts, saying that the Asia Pacific Region has had its fair share of historical disputes and territorial conflicts.
The senator, however, said conflicts can be addressed with open and respectful communication.
“I urge each member to engage in dialogue actively, seeking understanding and cooperation, even in the face of differences. It is through our collective diplomatic efforts that we can send a strong message of unity, urging all parties involved to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, and cooperation over competition,” he added.
Estrada said the Philippines has been consistent in resorting to peaceful means in addressing conflict surrounding the WPS, with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the recently concluded APEC Summit in San Francisco, California and both leaders affirming that the situation in the South China Sea does not comprise the entirety of Philippines-China relations.
He also noted that the Philippines and Japan are currently working on a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) which will provide a legal framework for joint military exercises and operations between the two countries.
Once finalized, the RAA is expected to be submitted to the Philippine Senate for concurrence.
“I urge each delegate to urge their respective governments to affirm multilateralism. Cooperation between key nations can set an example and in turn encourage other states to likewise engage in collaborative security initiatives,” Estrada said.
“Resilient partnerships for peace are not just a necessity; they are the moral imperative of our time. Let us choose dialogue rather than conflict, cooperation instead of force or intimidation, and unity over division. Together, let us lay the foundations for a more secure, stable, and progressive Asia Pacific region,” he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News