A MAJORITY of the viewers (76 percent) of The Filipino Channel’s Balitang America, who voted in the online poll regarding the Philippines seeking the United Nations’ (UN) intervention in its standoff with China, believe that the UN’s involvement will help resolve the dispute faster and will strengthen the Philippines’ position in its territorial dispute against the “bully” China.
On the other hand, only 24 percent believe that the UN’s intervention may spark bigger conflicts in the region.
When asked if the US should stay out of the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines, an overwhelming 93 percent voted NO. They maintain that the US is an ally of the Philippines, and should help defend the country against China.
Conversely, when it comes to US intervention in protecting the interest and territorial integrity of Syria and the Ukraine, viewers voted in the opposite.
On March 30, the Philippines asked a UN arbitral tribunal to declare Beijing’s claims over most of the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea as a violation of international law.
China responded with even more threats, and warned that bilateral relations between the Philippines and China will suffer.
“This fully shows that the Philippines’ unilateral moves of international arbitration is to cover up the fact to occupy Chinese territory and create troubles in the South China Sea. This is political provocation by abusing international laws,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Hong Lei said.
The US criticized China on its aggressive behavior in the territorial dispute with the Philippines, through a statement issued by State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf.
“The attempted Chinese blockade, which led to a two-hour standoff with the Philippine ship, is a provocative and destabilizing action,” she told reporters.
Harf further said that the Philippines has permission to resupply troops stationed at The Second Thomas Shoal (aka Ayungin Shoal) because they have kept a naval presence on the shoal, even before the 2002 declaration of conduct in the South China Sea.
“As a treaty ally of the Republic of the Philippines, the United States urges China to refrain from further provocative behavior by allowing the Philippines to continue to maintain its presence at Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal).”
China responded very defensively to the US statement, contending that disputes are “excluded” from the arbitration process of the UN sea treaty. It also warned the US not to intervene with the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.
“America is not a party concerned over the South China Sea dispute,” Hong said, reiterating that it took no positions on sovereignty issues.
“We urge the American side to honor its commitment and do more things that are conducive to peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
I asked the opinion of Atty. Arnedo Valera on this issue. He is an Independent Consultant on Human Rights and International Law, with a Masters Degree from Columbia University in International Affairs and specializing on Human Rights and International Law. He was also a former FSUN Representative to the United Nations on Migration, Human Rights, Global Peace and Security.
This is what he had to say:
“Ayungin Shoal is an integral part of Philippine territory. Therefore, the Philippine sovereignty must be respected. Once again, China has crossed the line of what I consider as acceptable provocation in territorial claims or territorial disputes for that matter.
The act of the Chinese coast guard vessels preventing a Philippine Vessel from resupplying a Marine contingent manning BR Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is an overt act of war by the Chinese government and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
What China is doing is that it is acting as a superpower with imperialist design. All freedom-loving countries and those who believe that territorial claims and disputes should be resolved amicably and peacefully should condemn China’s tactic of intimidation . Without their military might and economic dominance in the region, China is violating international law and the generally accepted principles of peace, comity , sovereignty that govern civilized nations.
As this is considered an overt act of war, diplomatic protest must be lodged against China, and the Philippine government must seek a UN resolution of the escalating military actions of China that destabilizes the region and even World Peace.
The Philippines must defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty at all costs. It must continue asserting and establishing ownership in Ayungin whether it be in the form of physical presence and or through legal claims filed in the World Court or ICJ.
Our strength is not in our military capability, but our skill to summon collective action among peace-loving countries in the world , seek their diplomatic and military cooperation as an expression of the collective will of countries that oppose China’s military domination and design to control South China Sea.
The US government must sign and ratify the UNCLOS so it will have a say and can seat in all committees and tribunals. As a treaty ally of the Philippines, the US’ adherence to UNCLOS and ratifying it will send a strong signal to China that the US is one with the Philippines in its legal claim against China in the disputed areas and that the Philippines’ claim under UNCLOS is valid and legal.
The US government must openly declare its commitment under the Mutual Defense Treaty, without any equivocation that it will come to the aid and defense of the Philippines in case of military attack. This is now the time to clarify the terms, parameters of what will be specifically done when there is a military attack against the Philippines.
The Philippine government should have the courage to put that in the forefront and [on top] priority, when Pres. Obama visits the Philippines. The Philippine government should not be contented with accepting military aid, by accepting obsolete and non-parity military hardware, compared to China’s military power and superiority.
While multilateral alliance with nations are strongly encouraged, the Philippines must not be intimidated to engage in bilateral talks with China, under the auspices or under the good offices of regional and world superpowers, including the US, to explore mediation and conciliation.
The bottom line is to find peaceful ways to avert a military conflict and entering the ‘war zone or the point of no return.’
I have been espousing the creation of the South China Sea or Spratly Economic Resources Council for the competing claimants and other countries to exploit the rich natural resources of South China Sea for the benefit of mankind. The ownership of these territories cannot be resolved in our lifetime.
We must find ways for these resources to be exploited for the benefit of the competing claimants and the citizens of the world. A combined multilateral alliance and relationship and bilateral talks to explore the economic and business aspects of the disputed territories are more realistic.
[From our end], as peace-loving citizens of the world, we must organize, educate and mobilize our communities on this important issue and dispute that is now threatening world peace and security.”
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
