THE United States, Japan, and the Philippines have expressed “serious concerns” over the actions of China in the disputed South China Sea.
This was contained in a statement issued by three nations after the first United States-Japan-Philippines Maritime Dialogue held Tuesday in Tokyo.
“They expressed serious concerns about the PRC’s dangerous and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea – including the repeated blocking and harassment of Philippine vessels from operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone – behavior that threatens the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations,” said a from the US State Department.
The trilateral maritime dialogue came about a week after vessels of the Chinese Coast Guard and Navy harassed Philippine government ships near Escoda and Scarborough shoals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea. Two of the ships were rammed and subjected to water cannon attack.
The Philippines has sent nearly 200 diplomatic protests to China under the Marcos administration, including 60 this year alone, over the harassment and bullying incidents.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said that during the dialogue, the nations exchanged views on the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea and “reaffirmed their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.”
“Japan and the US expressed their support for the Philippines’ consistent efforts toward a peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, and reiterated their strong expectation that the parties to the disputes would comply with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China regarding the South China Sea, thereby leading to peaceful settlement of disputes,” said the Japan MOFA in a separate statement.
In its own statement, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed the support of the US and Japan towards the full adherence to the 2016 ruling of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The Dialogue was a significant milestone in demonstrating the deepening cooperation of the Philippines, Japan, and the US on maritime concerns, as well as their enduring commitment to uphold a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific through the rules-based international order that adheres to international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the DFA said.
Also during the meeting, the three nations discussed opportunities to strengthen trilateral cooperation and engagement with other partners through maritime cooperative activities, combined trainings, maritime law enforcement, and coast guard capacity building.
The three sides also discussed strategic perspectives on regional maritime issues, institutionalizing trilateral cooperation, and future policy plans, among others.
They also confirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among three countries as natural partners and maritime nations linked together by the Pacific Ocean.
The Tokyo meeting last Tuesday lasted for about three hours and half and was attended by ranking officials of Japan, US, and the Philippines which has expressed willingness to host the Second Trilateral Maritime Dialogue in 2025.
NAVY PRESENCE
The Philippine Navy reiterated it will maintain presence in the West Philippine Sea to protect the country’s territory.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, made the remarks a day after President Marcos Jr said there is no need to send Navy warships to support Filipino fishermen in the WPS.
Following the latest harassment incident, which occurred on December 4 at the Scarborough and Escoda shoals, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said government is considering the deployment of Philippine Navy ships to secure the Filipino fishermen.
Trinidad said, “We have always been there. The Navy and the Air Force, under the Western Command and Northern Luzon Command, have regular patrol plans (in the area).”
“Just because the other party is instigating activities that are outside the books or gray zone — which are actually illegal, coercive and deceptive actions – doesn’t mean we will adjust and react to them,” added Trinidad.
Trinidad said such activities are matters that should be addressed by law enforcement agencies.
“This particular incident or case (harassment) is a law enforcement (activity). The distribution of aid, food, and fuel is a law enforcement activity conducted by the appropriate agency,” he said.
“What the President was saying is that this is the job of the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). It doesn’t mean the Navy or the AFP left (the WPS) or out of the picture,” said added.
Trinidad said the Navy continues to conduct patrols in the sea and in the air, adding China is “not in control” of the West Philippine Sea.
“We are freely performing our mandate of patrolling the seas and the air, of fighting for our sovereignty, of showing the flag. In effect, they are there, we are (also) there,” he said.
Trinidad said the military has improved its facilities at Pag-asa Island, the largest of the nine features occupied by Filipino troops in the West Philippine Sea.
“The good thing is that because of all the developments in our islands, especially at Pag-asa, we could now station our ships and our aircraft there,” he said. – With Victor Reyes
Trinidad said the military has a “very strong posture” in the West Philippine Sea.
“What our commander-in-chief said that (we’re not giving up) not one square inch (of our territory), that’s true,” said Trinidad, referring to the President’s pronouncement two years ago.
