DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday raised doubts on the sincerity of China in the crafting of a code of conduct in the South China Sea, citing China’s illegal activities in the area.
“Right now, I don’t. Honestly speaking, I don’t see that,” Teodoro told reporters when asked if he sees good faith on the part of China in coming up with such an agreement.
During the 27th ASEAN-China Summit in Laos, President Marcos Jr. called attention to China’s increased aggression in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea and stressed the urgency of passing a code of conduct.
Marcos said China’s aggression “demonstrates the continued disregard of international law and standards.” referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China is committed to promoting consultations on the code, stressing China wanted to handle disputes through dialogue and consultations.
But Mao said China opposes “any infringement and provocation, and firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
“Well, they said they are committed to dialogue but they are the only ones believing in what they are saying. That’s the problem. If they are committed, they should make it credible,” said Teodoro.
Teodoro noted China has again raised “historical facts” to assert its claims in the South China Sea.
“What kind of dialogue will that be?” said Teodoro, adding that such would eventually turn into a “monologue.”
“We are also committed to dialogue if we know we are not being fooled, we are not being hurt, we are not being fooled. They are committed to dialogue but they are also committed to illegal actions, that’s the problem,” said Teodoro.
China has harassed Philippine government ships and aircraft and civilian vessels in the West Philippine Sea in the past months, the last when a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel was water cannoned at the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal last October 8.
The shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is about 124 nautical miles from Zambales. China gained control of the shoal after a standoff with Philippine government vessels in 2012 and has since prevented Filipinos from fishing inside the shoal’s lagoon.
“The President also echoed that in saying that we cannot turn a blind eye on what is happening in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea,” said Teodoro, referring to China’s aggressive, coercive, and illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea.
Nevertheless, Teodoro said the Philippines is looking forward to a sincere dialogue with China.
“We look forward to good faith discussions and the President has given the marching order that he looks forward to good faith discussions and we will comply,” said Teodoro.
He said the President is constrained to have this kind of dialogue, noting that the Constitution calls for the exhaustion of “all peaceful and pacific measures of settling territorial disputes.”
‘DANGEROUS MANEUVER’
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that its vessels experienced another “dangerous maneuvers” from the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM).
In a statement released yesterday, BFAR said that last October 11, while two of its vessels were conducting a routine maritime patrol in the vicinity of Pag-asa (Sandy) Cays, a CMM vessel with bow number 00108 sideswiped the front right portion of BRP Datu Cabaylo (MMOV 3001).
The agency said this happened at around 7:45 a.m. while BRP Datu Cabaylo was slowly approaching Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay 4.
BFAR added that before this, a CMM vessel (00108) conducted dangerous maneuvers and tried to block the path of BRP Datu Cabaylo.
“These dangerous maneuvers caused the sideswiping and collision with the BFAR vessel, which sustained minor dents in its starboard bow,” the agency said.
Despite the incident, BFAR said its vessel maintained its position and continued its mission. It said the BRP Datu Cabaylo and the BRP Datu Sanday completed the mission and are now safely docked at the Pag-asa Sheltered Port.
“We commend the officers and crew of the BRP Datu Cabaylo as they continue to perform their duty, in line with the mandate of BFAR, to uphold Philippine jurisdiction and rights over its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone,” BFAR said.
Last October 8, the two vessels were also conducting a routine resupply mission to Filipino fisherfolk in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea when three Chinese Coast Guard vessels and one PLA-Navy vessel approached at close distance and shadowed their movement.
PCG ASSISTANCE
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said one of its vessels towed a Filipino fishing boat that encountered engine trouble while fishing near Scarborough Shoal last Saturday.
The PCG’s BRP Cabra rendered assistance to FBCA Nhiwel Jay 2 after receiving information from other fishing boats about its condition.
“Two Coast Guard personnel who boarded the distressed motor banca found out that the crankshaft pulley of the main engine was damaged due to corrosion,” the PCG said in a statement.
The PCG said the 44-meter BRP Cabra towed the fishing boat, with 12 crew on board, to the Port of Subic in Zambales.
It said the crew members were in “good physical condition.” — With Jed Macapagal and Victor Reyes
