But accuses PH anew of provocation
NEW rules that allow China’s coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea should not be a cause for concern, Beijing said after President Marcos Jr. said the policy is “worrisome” and an “escalation” of tension in the disputed area.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the policy aims only to standardize law enforcement procedures of its coast guard.
“The regulations are rolled out by China Coast Guard to standardize the administrative enforcement procedures of Coast Guard agencies and better uphold order at sea,” Mao said in a press briefing Wednesday in Beijing.
“It is consistent with universal practices. Individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit,” she added.
But Mao also accused the Philippines of escalating the tension by making “repeated provocations.”
“China’s door of dialogue and communication with the Philippines remains open, but it’s important to note that dialogue requires sincerity and whatever is agreed in dialogue must be acted upon, rather than talking about the need for dialogue while continuing to make provocations,” she added.
President Marcos, asked in Brunei last Wednesday about the four-month fishing ban imposed by China, said China’s policy allowing its coast guard to detain foreign trespassers in the South China Sea is an “escalation” of the situation and “very worrisome” for the country.
He said the fishing ban is not new and was actually being implemented based on the season but the detention of supposed trespassers is a different matter.
“The new policy of threatening to detain our own citizens, that is different. That is an escalation of the situation. So, yes, it is now very worrisome,” he said.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital conduit for more than $5 trillion of goods annually. Its claim anchored on the so-called nine-dash line overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
In 2016, the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected China’s sweeping claim in the South China Sea as it ruled in favor of the Philippines. But China rejected the arbitral ruling and has maintained its aggressive stance in the South China Sea, deploying coast guard and maritime militia vessels to enforce its claim. Its vessels have fired water cannons at Philippine vessels in the Ayungin Shoal.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier filed a diplomatic protest against the fishing moratorium imposed by China in the disputed water from May 1 to September 16 this year as the ban included the Philippines’ maritime zones over which the country has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.
The DFA has filed over 150 diplomatic protests against China over its aggressive actions at sea under the administration of President Marcos.
Of those, over 20 were lodged since the start of 2024 alone.
‘DISPLAY PH FLAG’
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año urged Filipinos to fly the Philippine flag in their homes and places of work to show love of country amid the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea.
Año, who is also the chairman of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, made the call amid the observance of the National Flag Day that began on May 28, and weeks ahead of the commemoration of Independence Day on June 12.
In May 2004, then President Ramos issued Executive Order 179, ordering the display of the national flag at all government departments, agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, instrumentalities, and local government units from May 24 to June 12 every year.
“Let the Philippine flag fly high in our homes, in the workplace, in schools, and in our hearts,” Año said in a statement issued on Wednesday night.
“Our flag is not just colored ink on cloth. It is a proud symbol of our heroic people’s history and our iron determination to defend our nation,” he said.
Año encouraged Filipinos to display the Philippine flag in their cars, academic institutions and other establishments up to the commemoration of Independence Day.
A former Armed Forces chief, Año noted that government soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect the people from various threats.
“Whenever we fly, display, and salute the flag, it is not just about observing a solemn ceremony or an old tradition. It is an expression of patriotic love that exceeds mere sentimentality. It is a commitment to offer our all, even to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice,” Año said.
SECURITY THREATS
Año said that while government is close to achieving victory against the communist insurgency, there is still work to be done to protect the people from lawless elements and extremists.
Año also cited the urgent need to address other serious threats to national security, including disinformation, malign influence and intrusion to Philippine territory.
“In the West Philippine Sea, all Philippine Navy and Coast Guard vessels, and even our civilian fisherfolk proudly display our country’s flag. They sail to secure our country’s maritime territory and sovereignty. They patrol our seas to protect our natural resources and sovereign rights under international law,” Año said.
China is becoming more aggressive in its claims in the WPS in the past years and has harassed Philippine government ships and military-contracted supply boats, through dangerous maneuvers, water cannoning and even ramming.
Aside from the regulations that seek to detain foreigners intruding into its waters starting on June 15, China has also announced an annual fishing ban in from May 1 to September.
The military denounced the ban as illegal but said it has not so far observed actual efforts from China to enforce the ban.
PROTECTION
AFP spokeswoman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, in a radio interview yesterday, said the military is doing “regular patrols” in the WPS to ensure protection of Filipino fishermen.
“We have additional resources that are available (for utilization),” said Padilla, reiterating that the Armed Forces has “contingency” measures for the Chinese regulations.
Padilla reiterated that the military does not recognize the regulations set by China, noting the areas cover the territorial waters of the Philippines.
“We encourage them (Filipino fishermen) to continue with their daily activities and we assure them that we will be (securing) them… We will be on patrols 24/7,” said Padilla.
“We are assuring our fishermen that the Armed Forces is there (to protect you). The Navy and the Air Force are doing their patrols. The Armed Forces is there to support you… We will always be here to protect the people and secure the state and our sovereignty,” she said/
ENVIRONMENT CASE
The Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General are finalizing the environmental case that will be lodged against China due to the activities of its fishermen and vessels that damaged the marine ecosystem in the WPS.
Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said they are in “continuous coordination” with the OSG in gathering additional evidence to further bolster the case against China.
“We have to be able to strengthen our position, our stance, in such a way that it will hold the scrutiny of whatever international tribunal we decide to go through,” he added.
He said also being discussed is where the complaint will be filed.
Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government is moving deliberately in its plan to file charges against China before an international tribunal.
Remulla said he understands some people are getting impatient with the process, but added government needs to ensure it has an airtight case against Beijing.
His point was echoed by Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra who said they will ensure that any legal action brought against China before an international tribunal will stand up to scrutiny.
Last year, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay called on the Marcos administration to initiate the filing of a case against China before an international tribunal.
Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros has said China’s activities in the WPS, including the reclamation and construction of artificial islands, have caused severe and irreparable harm to the marine ecosystem.
At least P33 billion in damage resulted from these activities, Hontiveros said.
In 2019, the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales filed a case for crimes against humanity with the International Criminal Court against Chinese officials led by Chinese President Xi Jinping due to the illegal fishing and poaching activities of Chinese vessels in the WPS.
However, the ICC dismissed the complaint, saying it cannot be acted upon as Beijing is not a state party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. — With Victor Reyes
