The Philippine government must take the lead and immediately conduct joint patrols with like-minded nations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following increasing Chinese harassment, an independent research organization suggested Monday. Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit said the Marcos administration should use the international recognition brought by the Philippines’ arbitral victory to assert its rights in the WPS. “The Marcos Jr. administration must take the lead and prioritize this endeavor. Only by working together can the Philippines successfully assert its right in the WPS,” Manhit said in a statement. In the face of the growing challenges, Manhit said regular joint patrols can be conducted with the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea and the European Union. Several countries have already condemned China’s dangerous blocking maneuvers that led to the collision in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend. ‘The recent incident involving the Philippines and China in the WPS also has significant implications in the realm of regional stability and global commerce. We join our allies and partners in the international community in voicing our concern over these aggressive and dangerous actions. Stratbase said it is committed to peace, security, and the importance of a rules-based international order. ‘The recent events underscored the need for continued efforts to maintain stability and security in the West Philippine Sea and to respect the rights and sovereignty of all nations in the region,’ Manhit stressed. He also condemned China’s disinformation campaign regarding the collision. ‘The Institute unequivocally condemns China’s disinformation campaign regarding this incident and their unjust attempt to twist the truth and blame the Philippines. The vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard was not illicitly carrying construction materials. Its cargo consisted solely of supply materials intended for the regular maintenance and support of the BRP Sierra Madre,’ Manhit said. ‘In an evolving multipolar world, it is of utmost importance that all parties involved in this incident adhere to the highest standards of honesty and accuracy in providing information to the public and international community,’ he added. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, determining that major elements of China’s claims are unlawful, including the nine-dash line which has since been upgraded to 10-dash line, land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waters. Affront to every Filipino The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) also condemned to the highest degree China’s ‘provocative, irresponsible, and illegal’ violent behavior towards Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. ‘We view this not only as aggression targeted at our Coast Guard but as an affront to each Filipino because at the heart of this act is violation of our national sovereignty. The defense of what is truly ours. We cannot forever play a cat-and-mouse game in the West Philippine Sea because our subservience will cost the lives and livelihood of our kababayan,’ the group said in a statement. The TUCP also slammed China’s actions in these waters that threaten marine life and the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk. ‘We lost trillions to damaged coral reefs and lost hundreds of thousands of kilos of fish to Chinese maritime militia that are rivaling and exceeding the catch of our very own fisherfolk, jeopardizing our prosperity and food security,’ it added. At the same time, the TUCP lauded the crisis leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for immediately calling a command conference to initiate the probe on these ‘dangerous, illegal, and reckless maneuvers’ in our very own exclusive economic zone. ‘The President is leading from the front our whole-of-society response reciprocated by House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who addressed the intelligence needs of the Government by ensuring that every centavo of public funds are spent with full accountability and transparency to the issues that matter-State defense, Philippine sovereignty, and national survival,’ it said. On the other hand, the labor organization also called on concerned parties to work hand in hand towards an effective Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea to calm the tensions, end the brinkmanship, and promote regional understanding and cooperation. ‘Ultimately, the West Philippine Sea should be the sea of peace and prosperity for freedom of navigation and mutually beneficial global cooperation and trade between our nations and our respective peoples,’ it added.
Source: Philippines News Agency
