By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In the latest round of the tit-for-tat row between the Philippines and China comes the reported presence of two Chinese military hydrographic survey vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on September 11.
This, as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it is verifying the reported presence of these foreign vessels as of press time.
In a briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro added that PCG vessels continue to patrol the area and remain watchful for any further developments.
Some groups expressed concerns about the entry of these ships into the hotly disputed waters of WPS, especially noting their capabilities to identify detailed information about water depths and seabed conditions.
Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD) Chairperson Emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia said in a statement, “Hindi ito mga ordinaryong research vessel. Kapag nasa sensitibong lugar sila, may karapatan ang Pilipinas na itanong kung ano ang kanilang minamapa at bakit.”
Goitia’s sentiments echo Section 17 of Republic Act No. 12065 (Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act), which explicitly prohibits any foreign vessel from conducting oceanographic, hydrographic, or any other research and/or survey activities, as well as interfering with Philippine research and survey activities carried out in Philippine sea lanes or any air routes above them.
What is rightfully ours
Meanwhile, Usec. Castro backed recent statements of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. that assert the country’s position in the WPS, “Isa po siyang opisyal na dapat ipaglaban kung ano lang po ang interes at karapatan ng ating mga kababayan at ng ating bansa sa nasabing maritime rights.”
During the 3rd Balangay Forum at Makati City held as part of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo) celebration on Thursday, Secretary Teodoro took the opportunity to once again reiterate the Philippines’ firm stance against China’s actions in the WPS.
“They are attempting to reshape the world order to one which is more Sinocentric. If you oppose, you will be sent somewhere you don’t want to be sent, perhaps for the rest of your life, if you still have it after that.”
He even challenged China to vacate the occupied islands and features in WPS, “Kung wala silang intensyon, bawiin nila yung nine-dash line na yun. Umalis sila sa Mischief Reef, umalis sila sa iba’t ibang mga reef na sinabi ng DFA. Pati diyan sa Bajo de Masinloc, wala silang business diyan.”
On the other hand, amid these developments, Australia vowed to continue its defense partnership with the Philippines while championing a “blue economy” through responsible use of marine resources. (with report from Patrick de Jesus | PTV News)
jpv
