BY VICTOR REYES and ASHZEL HACHERO
DEPARTMENT of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr yesterday vowed to prioritize the construction of mission-essential facilities in islands and features occupied by Filipino troops in the disputed West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea.
Faustino, a former Armed Forces chief, made the commitment during a visit to the headquarters of the AFP Western Command (Wescom) in Puerto Princesa City.
Wescom is in charge of all military operations in the West Philippine Sea where soldiers are occupying nine areas, the largest of which is Pag-asa Island — about 280 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Princesa City.
“As your new DND OIC, I assure Wescom of the continuity of all infrastructure projects under the DND-DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Tikas Convergence Program,” said Faustino.
The Tikas Convergence Program is aimed at addressing the facility requirements of military units throughout the country.
“We will prioritize mission-essential infrastructure in all Philippine-held islands in the Kalayaan Island Group and the West Philippine Sea,” said Faustino.
Faustino reiterated the guidance of President Marcos Jr for the military to ensure the country’s territory is protected.
The military has been improving its facilities in the West Philippines Sea over the past years.
These include cementing of the runway at Pag-asa Island. The 1.3-kilometer runway is made of corals and poses danger to aircraft that are landing during inclement weather.
Meanwhile, China belittled anew the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that favored the Philippines and invalidated China’s sweeping claim in the South China Sea.
“The so-called award of the South China Sea arbitration seriously violates international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is illegal, null, and void,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a press conference in Beijing, a transcript of which was posted on the ministry’s website.
“China neither accepts nor recognizes it and will never accept any claim or action based on the award,” he added.
Wang said Beijing has made its stand on the ruling clear numerous times.
By not accepting the ruling, Wang said, Beijing is “upholding international law.”
Wang also said Beijing’s position on the issue received a warm response from the international community, and warned that China will address any attempt to infringe on its sovereignty, rights, and interests in accordance with the law.
On the sixth anniversary of the historic ruling on July 12, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the ruling is “final and indisputable.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his anniversary message, reiterated support to the Philippines and the arbitral ruling, and warned that Washington will come to Manila’s aid in case of an attack or aggression.
Manila and Washington are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty to come to each others aid in case of foreign invasion or aggression.
Blinken also called on China to stop provocative behavior in the South China Sea and abide by international laws.
Wang lambasted the US.
“The US, as a non-regional country, has been ignoring the history and facts of the South China Sea issue and violated and distorted international law. It has broken its public commitment of taking no position on sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, and sought to drive a wedge between regional countries and undermine peace and stability in the region. This is extremely irresponsible,” he said.
Wang also said China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are “fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and working actively to advance the consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.”
“It has been agreed by all sides that the South China Sea issue should be handled following the dual-track approach, namely, maritime disputes should be handled properly by countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation and peace and stability should be jointly safeguarded by China and the”‚ASEAN countries,” he added.
Four ASEAN countries – the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam — are claiming parts of the South China Sea, with Manila calling its part the West Philippine Sea.
China is claiming nearly the entire South China Sea, while Taiwan occupied the largest island in the disputed waters, Itu Abba.
