By Brian Jules Campued
Following the recent incidents between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the National Maritime Council maintains that the government will continue to “exhaust all peaceful approaches” in addressing issues and not further escalate the ongoing tension in the disputed waters.
During an interview on the Malacañang Insider on Wednesday, NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez clarified that the dispute over the WPS does not ultimately decide the ties between the two countries.
“Actually, the West Philippine Sea issue is not the be-all and end-all of our relationship with China. So, nagkataon lang talaga na ito iyong nagiging focus but I believe our government is doing very well in managing this conflict with China, ’no,” Lopez said.
The retired Navy vice admiral issued the remark as he refuted China’s claims that the BRP Datu Sanday rammed the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and that the CCG thereafter rescued the Filipinos who fell off the ship.
On August 19, the Philippine resupply ship sustained damages after CCG vessels conducted aggressive and dangerous maneuvers near Escoda Shoal.
“Narrative nila iyon eh, pero according to our reports walang nangyaring ganoon. Siguro, gusto lang nilang ipakita na they are still, you know, [in] humanitarian mode, saving people but walang ganoong nangyari. Walang ganoong nangyari, purong kasinungalingan, unfortunately,” Lopez said.
According to the NMC mouthpiece, Escoda Shoal is well within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines under the provision of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Ang Escoda Shoal is 75 nautical miles from the main island of Palawan. Mayroon tayong tinatawag na 200 exclusive economic zone under the provision of UNCLOS. So, nakikita natin na pasok na pasok iyong Escoda Shoal doon sa provision na 200[-nautical-mile] exclusive economic zone. In contrast, doon sa China, kasi ang pinakamalapit na probinsiya ng China [sa Escoda Shoal] is Hainan—that’s more than 500 nautical miles away,” he said.
Amid the heightened tension over the WPS, Lopez assured the public that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive remains clear: “We will not abandon even a square inch of our territory to a foreign power.”
“And we will exhaust all peaceful approaches, diplomatic channels, mechanisms so that these disputes will be settled in a professional, peaceful, and orderly manner,” he added. – iro
