Told sanctions ‘inconsistent with norms of mutual respect’
THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it has summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian over Beijing’s recent imposition of sanctions against former senator Francis Tolentino, including banning him from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
“The DFA conveyed to the Chinese side that, while the imposition of such sanctions falls within China’s legal prerogative, the imposition of punitive measures against democratically elected officials for their official acts is inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states,“ the DFA said in a statement signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary chief Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
Huang was summoned last Friday.
“The Department reminded the ambassador that as a democracy, the Philippines values freedom of expression,” the statement added.
Lazaro also reminded Huang that under the separation of powers among the three branches of government, senators and other elected officials are mandated and have the authority to inquire on matters about national interests.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the sanction stems from Tolentino’s “malicious remarks” and moves on issues that are detrimental to Beijing’s interest and relations with Manila.
In announcing the sanction last week, the foreign ministry said, “The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests. China decides to impose sanctions on former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino for his egregious conduct on China-related issues and prohibit him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.”
Tolentino, as a senatorial candidate in the May midterm elections, fashioned himself as tough on China and its aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea. In the middle of the election campaign, Tolentino held a hearing where he accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of tapping a public relations firm to propagate a pro-China message in the Philippines.
The Chinese embassy has denied Tolentino’s claim.
Tolentino has also been instrumental in the passage in the Senate of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.
The two laws codified and strengthened the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration which junked China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea under its so-called nine dash line.
In a statement late Tuesday afternoon, the embassy said Huang reiterated Beijing’s position on taking the action against Tolentino.
“The ambassador notified the DFA of the Philippines of China’s decision to impose sanctions on former senator Francis Tolentino, and emphasized that for quite some time, driven by selfish interests, a handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines have made malicious remarks and moves on issues related to China that are detrimental to China’s interests and China-Philippines relations,” the embassy said.
It added that such sanctions “fall purely within China’s legal prerogative.”
“There are consequences for hurting China’s interests. Tolentino’s malicious smear against China and instigation of confrontation will only backfire, and ultimately harm the interest of the Philippines and Filipino people,’ it added.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a briefing in Malacañang, said the DFA also reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to resolving differences through diplomacy and dialogue, and that the country looks forward to continued constructive engagement with China to promote mutual understanding.
CHINESE VESSELS
Forty-nine Chinese Navy and Coast Guard vessels were monitored at three contested features in the WPS last month — the highest for this year.
Asked what the increase in Chinese presence at the three features indicates, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy’s spokesman for the WPS, “We have to look at it from the perspective of probably the weather or the deployment cycle.”
“As it is right now, we have no direct reference on the tactical implications why it increased to 49, from last month’s number of 41,” he said.
“Probably it will be a factor of the weather or the deployment cycle, maintenance and repair,” he added.
The country is set to mark on July 12 the ninth anniversary of the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that invalidated China’s excessive claim in the WPS.
Asked to describe China’s behavior in the area in the past nine years compared to the years prior to the PCA ruling, Trinidad said, a “more in-depth assessment” needs to be conducted.
He also said, “What I could say is that the escalation is more on the narratives. The information warfare being waged against us, the false narratives, the malign influence being given out. That has increased. But on the actions, I will need to do a more in-depth assessment on that.”
Trinidad said of the 49 ships, 23 were sighted at Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.
Fourteen of these are Chinese vessels from People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy while the rest are from the Chinese Coast Guard, Trinidad told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
China gained control of the shoal, located some 124 nautical miles from mainland Zambales, after a standoff with Philippine government vessels in 2012.
Trinidad said 12 Chinese Coast Guard vessels and two PLA Navy ships were monitored at Ayungin Shoal, a Philippine-occupied feature located some 108 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan.
“For Pag-asa, nine for the (Chinese) Coast Guard and three for the PLA Navy,” he said.
Pag-asa Island is also occupied by the Philippines. Located 280 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City, the island serves as the seat of government of Kalayaan, Palawan.
“These 49 ships were not there all the time, but they were in and out of the different features,” Trinidad said.
In May, 41 Chinese Navy and Coast Guard ships were monitored at the three features 31 in April, 35 in March, nine in February, and 11 in January, Trinidad said.
LITHUANIA SUPPORT
The National Maritime Council (NMC) welcomed the expression of support by Lithuania for the Philippine position in the West Philippine Sea (WPC), particularly in the face of China’s aggressive actions.
In a statement, the NMC said the pronouncements of Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene that recognize the Philippines’ transparent and rules-based approach in defending its maritime entitlements reinforces the growing international consensus on upholding a stable, lawful, and peaceful maritime order.
It added Lithuania’s acknowledgment that there is “nothing peaceful” in China’s use of water cannons and coercion against Filipinos. – With Victor Reyes and Jocelyn Reyes
