With
the disappointment on the ASEAN’s non-issuance of a joint communiqué at the
45th Asean Ministerial Meeting in Cambodia a couple of weeks ago still fresh in
its midst, the Philippines continue to faced harassment and provocation from
China as news reports have conveyed how Chinese vessels numbering about 20 were
seen just 9 kilometers off Pagasa Island catching fish and collecting corrals
in large amount.
Kalayaan
Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon lamented how residents there were clearly witnessing how
those Chinese vessels were hoarding precious corrals from a seabed near his
municipality.
The
Chinese vessels are coming closer and closer towards areas and locations that
are clearly occupied by the Philippines such as the Pagasa Island. With tens of
Chinese vessels stationing themselves at the Scarborough Shoal, China is
similarly targeting the Kalayaan group of islands. If this is not provocation
in its meanest sense, then we do not know what it is.
In
a television press conference yesterday, President Noynoy Aquino has expressed
the developing sensitivity of the Philippines stance over these matters that
the possibility of armed conflict may be very imminent.
At
this point, Senator Rodolfo Biazon this day had suggested that the Philippinesshould seek the assistance of the United Nation in the brimming conflict with
China at the West Philippine Sea and called for arbitration under the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which the country is a
signatory among 152 countries.
Unfortunately,
under Unclos regulations, arbitration proceedings could not be initiated
without the consent of China, and the latter had repeatedly refused to give
it’s acquiesce for resolution and instead uses forceful tactics, such as
sending fishing vessels with armed escorts to disputed areas like the
Scarborough Shoal and the Spratlys. This is of course strategies to intimidate
and harass other claiming nations, particularly the Philippines.
While
the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has continued to issue diplomatic
protests, these however just fell on deaf ears as China had even increased its
presence over the West Philippine Sea in the past weeks. Ultimately, China is
egging and inching for war and conflict.
Just
a couple of weeks ago, US Senator John McCain had made comments on how China’s
move to install military garrisons in Sansha and Paracel Islands – areas
disputed both by China and Vietnam – as a move that is ‘extremely provocative’.
Meanwhile,
Philippine troops stationed in Pagasa Island have been ordered to stand down
while diplomatic channels are being maximized.
Senator
Biazon’s suggestion should sound urgent at this time yet the United Nation
peacekeeping mission has to follow a long process before it becomes
operational. Usually, armed conflict should occur first and a treaty to follow
before the United Nation Security Council could vote as to the formation and
sending of peacekeeping troops.
Senator
Biazon then urged to do an eye-for-eye response to China’s move by sending
fishing vessels to the area and deploying armed escorts to protect them from
aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese side. The question would be as to whether
we have enough armed ships to undertake this particular operation.
In
a statement made by DFA Secretary Alberto del Rosario in the face of ASEAN’s
failure to issue a joint communiqué on the issues appertaining in the West
Philippine Sea, he had emphasized how ASEAN or even the United Nation should
now intervene in the attending dispute since the free and unimpeded navigation
of ships and vessels in the area is at gravely at stake where 50,000 ship
travels would be affected if tensions would escalate in the coming days or
months.
Clearly,
as more and more Chinese vessels are deployed in the disputed areas in the West
Philippine Sea, ASEAN should now be more resolute and the United Nation should
aim at intervening in the conflict before everything becomes worst.
9 Comments
It's unfortunate that China is going to the old ways by expanding their domain by force. I hope UN intervenes as allowing China to do this aggression would just encourage China to eat up more territories in the future.
ReplyDeleteThat's the main aim Franc yet it is an objective not easy to attain. International procedures can be illogical sometimes where dispute resolution over territories could not be initiated without consent of both or all parties. Why wouldn't China give consent if it believes it has the best title to the disputed islands? escapes me really...
ReplyDeleteChina is really a pain in the butt to Philippines .They want to get our islands one by one. Reading your post ,I was thinking of asking help to Iron man or Hulk Hogan to stop them,lol. But seriously, I hope that the UN and ASEAN do something about this dispute.
ReplyDeleteThey are always giving a bad image about Philippines.
ReplyDelete@ Tess: Haha..Iron Man would have been much helpful with all the weaponsry of Mr. Stark. Now, I think China is already too much, embarassment upon itself with all these stealthy moves. It has acres and acres of land, mere isalnds should be not its concern; unless for strategic positioning. Now that tells us some ill motive in the future for China, like it wants empiric hold over all Asia. We must all beware.
ReplyDelete@ Ruben : They are indeed making the West Philippine Seas a very hazardous place for navigation. And it's China to blame and non other.
ReplyDeleteThis is depressing. When can China and our country settle this dispute? As time goes by nagiging alarming ang situation.
ReplyDelete@ YANI : Yes, depressing could be an apt term especially when at times it becomes beyond our control, when China seems to do what it pleases. Maybe we should fight back, but we do not ahve the capability. Such a dilemma for us.
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ReplyDeletebut I find this matter to be really something that I think I would
never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it!
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