DON’T fight fire with fire.
China, through its embassy, recently rejected the Philippine government’s “Notifcation and Statement of Claim” before the UN’s arbitration tribunal.
The letter, which was handed out by Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario last month to Philippine Embassies and Consulates abroad, urges China to desist from unlawful activities that violate the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines under the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It also challenges China’s 9-dash (or U) line claim to the entire West Philippine Sea.
The move was in accordance with the Philippines’ position to resolve the dispute in a peaceful manner and within the framework of international law.
“This move is part of the Philippines three-track approach in resolving the disputes in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government has said that it will pursue legal, diplomatic and political tacks in resolving the maritime row. At this stage, the legal track presents the most durable option to defend the national interest and territory on the basis of international law,” the notification further said.
Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing presented a Note Verbale, which states that China returned and rejected the notification at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and informed the DFA-Asian Pacific Affairs of China’s detest of any international proceedings over the dispute.
Following the meeting with DFA officials, Chinese spokesperson Hong Lei urged the Philippine government to keep its word, not take any action to complicate the issue and respond positively by resorting to bilateral negotiations instead.
“China’s position on the South China (West Philippine) Sea issue is consistent and clear. China’s sovereignty over the Nansha (Spratly) Islands and their adjacent waters is supported by abundant historical and legal evidence. Meanwhile, bearing in mind the larger interest of China-Philippines relations and regional peace and stability, China has remained committed to resolving the disputes through bilateral negotiations, and has made every effort to maintain stability and to promote regional cooperation in the South China Sea,” Hong said in a statement released by the Chinese Embassy.
Following its aggressive stance, the DFA accepted China’s Note Verbale and assured that its action will not interfere with the Arbitration process initiated by the Philippines on January 22.
The Arbitration will proceed under Annex VII of UNCLOS and the 5-member arbitration panel will be formed with or without China.
“The Philippines remains committed to Arbitration which is a friendly, peaceful and durable form of dispute settlement that should be welcomed by all,” the DFA said in its statement.
A few nautical miles from the highly contested islands, another territory entangles the Philippines in yet another standoff — this time with Malaysia.
The week-long standoff between Filipino gunmen between authorities in Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, has alarmed both Philippine and Malaysian governments to intervene before the impasse escalates.
Claiming Sabah as their home under the Sultanate of Sulu, the Filipino delegates are adamant (as ordered by Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III) in leaving the area, despite continuous warnings from Malaysian forces.
“There will be no turning back for us,” Kiram told reporters.
Kiram, who claims the territory as their ancestral land, receives a yearly payment from Malaysia as a recognition of the Sultanate of Sulu’s proprietary rights over Sabah.
The sultanate once held sovereignty on Northern Borneo until the last world war ended, when Britain transferred Sabah to Malaysia, when the latter gained its independence in 1963.
Filipino and Malaysian authorities continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing standoff to avoid dire humanitarian consequences.
In a corrida (bullfight) a matador, the obvious underdog, faces a charging thousand-pound bull. He sways a red cloth, called a muleta, as a recourse to the aggressiveness of the animal. Such art form implies that aggravating head on a raging bull will not de-escalate the situation.
On the surface, the continuous incursions into the country’s territorial claims look grim. But despite the odds, the Philippine government has continuously dealt its cards well, insuring peace and avoiding resorting to force.
(AJPress)
