As the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit comes to an end, the unified, prevailing, pressing desire of the ASEAN-member countries strongly manifests–the resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The objective is highly apparent amid a number of serious topics in the agenda list of the international event. The Philippines, one of the highly afflicted countries by said territorial issues, led the advocacy on the concrete decision of the territorial problems.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo informed that the ASEAN-member nations are in unison in seeking the resolution of territorial issues in the South China Sea. “From what I observed is that there’re very concerned on what is happening in the South China Sea,” reported Panelo.
During the 22nd China Summit, President Rodrigo Duterte manifested the ardent desire of the ASEAN-member countries to have an effective code of conduct in the South China Sea in three years of fewer. He also highlighted the commitment of said countries in maintaining security and safety in said water. The Filipino chief executive calls on claiming states to practice self-restraint, respect international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and avoid any activities that would result in tension in the region such as land reclamation, militarization, and para-military endeavors. Panelo mentioned that China expressed positivity on the matter.
Panelo also gave firm statements regarding the recent incident in Bajo de Masinloc that was within the ambit of territorial disagreement between the Philippines and China. The circumstance involved the blocking of a Liberian ship operated by Filipinos in Bajo de Masinloc, to which Department of National Defense chief Delfin N. Lorenzana responded by emphasizing that Bajo de Masinloc is well within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. Lorenzana also averred, “The Chinese government must respect international maritime laws if it wants to earn the respect of the international community.” Panelo, in adhering to the defense head’s statement, said, “I think China should agree . . . because China itself says that we should respect international law.”
On the participation of President Duterte in the deliberations in the 35th ASEAN Summit, his itineraries are expected to come until the afternoon today, November 04, 2019, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit and bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The event will conclude by conferring the hosting privilege of the next ASEAN Summit to Vietnam.
