PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III reiterated his obligation to defend the country’s sovereignty adding other countries should recognize the Philippines’s rights to defend its own interest in West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
In an interview during the graduation rites at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, the President said his government is not challenging China or initiating a provocation.
But he said he believes that China should recognize the country’s right to defend its sovereignty. He also said the country is pursuing a requirement on a peaceful and rules-based approach in resolving the dispute in the West Philippine Sea when it elevated its case to the international tribunal.
“We went through arbitration primarily because that is a means to resolve the dispute na consistent with the policy na peaceful, at saka in conformity with the international law,” he told reporters.
Another track being pursued by the country is the crafting of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
So far, ASEAN member countries only agreed in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002, and the Philippines wants to push a Code of Conduct after ten years. The Philippines has no other choice but international arbitration, he said, arguing that the Ayungin Shoal currently being contested by China is clearly within the country’s 200 exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The President also commended the members of the Armed forces who have been manning a government position in the Ayungin Shoal through a dilapidated ship.
“I should pay special tribute to the men of the AFP. We have men who had to be provisioned in Ayungin Shoal. They accomplished the mission without, I believe, increasing the tension and did it in a way that didn’t pose a threat to any other country–again consistent with the peaceful approach,” he said.
Changing personnel and bringing supplies are becoming a challenge for the Philippines as China has started to block supply ships from reaching government’s position.
On Sunday, the Philippines filed a memorial or a written pleading in the international tribunal containing evidence and basis for its claims in the West Philippine Sea. (PND)
