But won’t back down on China sea claim — Marcos
THE Philippines is not instigating war with any nation even as it defends and stands firm on its claim in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea, President Marcos Jr. said yesterday.
The President stressed anew that the Philippines will continue to pursue peaceful means to settle issues but, he said, “our calm and peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for acquiescence.”
“We are not in the business to instigate wars – our great ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino… We refuse to play by the rules that force us to choose sides in a great power competition. No government that truly exists in the service of the people will invite danger or harm to lives and livelihood,” Marcos said during his visit to Camp General Artemio Ricarte, headquarters of the Armed Forces’ Western Command (Wescom) in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
Marcos has repeatedly rallied the military to always be prepared, not because of any plan to go to war with any country, but for any eventuality including external threats resulting from geopolitical developments in the world.
The President reiterated that the Philippines prefers to solve issues through peaceful resolutions.
“In defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that we would like to settle all these issues peacefully. And in the performance of our duties, we will not resort to the use of force or intimidation, or deliberately inflict injury or harm to anyone,” he added.
He said history would show Filipinos do not give in to foreign powers.
“Kailan man ay hindi tayo magpapa-supil at magpapa-api kahit na kanino man (We will never yield or be oppressed by anyone). The Philippines is a responsible state. We will continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law,” he also said.
Last week, Philippine Navy personnel and the Chinese coast guard had their latest clash during a routine resupply mission by Manila to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, in which it said a sailor was severely injured and vessels damaged.
China’s Coast Guard personnel carrying knives and spears looted firearms and “deliberately punctured” Philippine boats involved in the June 17 mission, the Philippine military said.
China disputed the Philippine account, with a foreign ministry spokesperson saying on Thursday the necessary measures taken were lawful, professional and beyond reproach.
CONSCIOUS CHOICE
Marcos, who did not name China in his speech at Wescom, commended the troops for exercising restraint “amidst intense provocation,” and said his country would always exercise its freedoms and rights in line with international law.
The President led the awarding of the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan to Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo who was wounded in the recent clash while 79 other soldiers received the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is awarded to government officials and personnel, as well as to private individuals, in recognition of their invaluable or extraordinary service in furtherance of the President’s campaign or advocacy.
“As we award these medals, we remember that on June 17th, we made a conscious and deliberate choice to remain in the path of peace. The government will continue to provide you all your needs and look after your welfare and your families’ welfare,” the President said during the “Talk to the Troops.”
Marcos also instructed them to continue fulfilling their duty of defending the Philippines with “integrity and respect as you have done so far.”
STANDING FIRM
The President, during a “meet and greet” with the 80 soldiers who were part of the rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) mission, said the country’s claim in the South China Sea is supported by international law and other nations.
“Our view on this situation will not change. We can’t be forced to just let it go, whoever says it’s not yours. That can’t happen,” he said in Filipino.
He said the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea stands on “very solid international legal grounds” and recognized by the whole world.
He added that since he became President, he has made very clear that the government would do everything to do “to defend our territory, to defend our sovereignty, and to allow our citizens to exercise their sovereign rights within the EEZ (exclusive economic zone).”
“We will continue to do that… We are on very solid international legal grounds on this. The whole world recognizes our territory and our EEZ,” he said.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected.
Recent maritime run-ins between China and the Philippines have made the highly strategic South China Sea a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.
The United States has condemned China’s actions and reaffirmed its ironclad defense commitments against any attack on Philippine aircraft or vessels in the South China Sea under their mutual defense treaty.
But the Philippines said on Friday there was no reason to invoke the treaty because China’s actions, which security officials have described as escalatory, could not be classified as an “armed attack.”
ORDINARY MISSION
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said there is no reason to keep secret future rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) missions for troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, made the statement during a radio interview, two days after the National Maritime Council (NMC) recommended to President Marcos the announcement of missions before they are executed.
Officials have kept secret impending RoRe missions in the past for “operational security.”
However, Chinese vessels are still able to learn about the resupply missions, leading to harassment like dangerous maneuvers, water cannoning and ramming.
The NMC recommendation came four days after the latest clash.
Tarriela reiterated the administration sees the RoRes as “just an ordinary, routine and legal resupply mission” done by the AFP and supported by the PCG.
“So, if we see it only as an ordinary resupply operation, then there is no reason to hide it from anyone, regardless if it’s China or any other members of the international community, so that everybody is aware when are going to do it,” he said.
Tarriela said the NMC recommendation is still subject to approval of the President. He said the President is still “seriously” looking into the last RoRe mission.
Tarriela said National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, also chairman of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, briefed the President about the June 17 operation.
“We believe he (President Marcos) understood well what’s the situation in Ayungin. Maybe, he is just conducting a thorough study as to what is the better approach in our resupply operation in Ayungin Shoal,” said Tarriela.
Tarriela said the recommendation is not tantamount to asking permission from China to allow such RoRe missions.
“We keep on saying there is no need for us to ask permission from China. That (Ayungin Shoal) falls within our exclusive economic zone and these (RoRes) are just legitimate, ordinary, routine operations we are conducting,” he said.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Tarriela said the recommendation to make prior announcements is meant to inform the international community, including China, of such missions before they are conducted.
“Our target audience here is the international community… I think it’s shortsightedness if people will say the target audience is China. Our target audience is the international community,” he said.
Nevertheless, Tarriela said announcing such RoRes will put China in a “very difficult” position on whether to continue blocking and harassing such operations.
“Imagine if America, Japan, Australia and the entire European Union is aware that on this day, this hour, we will be having a resupply mission and China will still carry out those aggressive and illegal action… We are actually giving the opportunity to all the members of globe to and like-minded states to be aware of our operations,” he said.
Tarriela said the June 17 incident is not considered an armed attack that can trigger the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and US.
The agreement requires both nations to respond to any armed attack in metropolitan territory or on the island territories or on armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific of either parties.
Tarriela said the Chinese were armed merely with bolos and axes and their intention was to destroy the rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).
“The objective of the resupply mission is to bring food and rotate the troops on board BRP Sierra Madre. The objective of China is to block and make sure the Armed Forces of the Philippines will not be able to bring the supplies,” he said.
Quoting maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal, Tarriela said the incidents at Ayungin Shoal are just “skirmishes.”
“The objective of the two countries is not really to go on an all-out war. That’s not the intention of the countries to go to war against each other. Our intention is to resupply and they want to block it,” said Tarriela.
“So it means it is an unlawful use of force on the part of China but that doesn’t constitute and armed aggression or an armed attack that would trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said.
HARASSMENT DENOUNCED
Seventeen business groups denounced the harassment of AFP and PCG vessels and lauded the two government agencies for their “dedication and self-sacrifice in protecting the people, safeguarding our sovereignty and defending the integrity of our national territory.”
They made the remarks in a joint statement dated June 21. The statement was released by the defense department on Saturday night.
“The AFP and the PCG play a critical role in achieving and sustaining a dynamic economy with widest participation of, and benefits for, Filipinos spanning all socio-economic classes, economic sectors, geographic areas and ethnic affiliations, under the rule of law in order to afford justice for all,” the statement read.
The 17 business groups included the Makati Business Club, the Cebu Business Club, and the Management Association of the Philippines.
The groups encouraged the government “to pursue with urgency the necessary capacity-building measures that will successfully transform the AFP and the PCG into modern, responsive and self-reliant defense forces.”
“We deplore the continued harassment of the AFP, the PCG and most of all, our people who are just trying their livelihood,” said group said.
“Since we need peace and security in building a stronger and more progressive Philippines, we call for a whole-of-nation approach in addressing the current threats to national sovereignty and security. We appeal for unity towards a non-violent resolution that respects our rights as a peace-loving nation,” they added. — With Victor Reyes and Reuters
