Phl to Asean: We need legally binding sea code

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to focus on solidarity in taking a stronger position on violations of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Del Rosario said: “We will continue to work with ASEAN and China in crafting the COC (code of conduct) and in implementing our commitments under the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.”

Del Rosario said the Philippines has resorted to the rule of law by initiating arbitral proceedings under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to clarify its maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Philippines shall always adhere to the peaceful settlement of disputes through lawful, non-coercive, and transparent means that promote the healthy functioning of an equitable and rules-based international system,” he said.

Del Rosario said the Philippine arbitral initiative, when objectively considered, will benefit all parties.

“For the Philippines, it will clearly define what is legitimately ours, specifically maritime entitlements under UNCLOS with regard to our fishing rights, rights to resources and rights to enforce our laws within our exclusive economic zone,” he said.

Del Rosario said for China, an arbitral award will finally clarify for the Chinese people its lawful maritime entitlements in the South China Sea under the UNCLOS.

“For ASEAN and the rest of the global community, the clarification of maritime entitlements under UNCLOS would assure peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation in the region,” he said.

Russell Smith, Asia Pacific director of critical information provider IHS, said Chinese vessels are not likely to leave Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to continue to assert Chinese sovereignty.

The Asia Pacific specialist for IHS, publisher of Jane’s Defence Weekly, made the statement a year after Chinese vessels started intruding into Panatag Shoal.

“I can see the Chinese increasing their patrol activity,” he said.

“I know last week, the Chinese marine surveillance vessels were operating. I don’t think it is the riches (as) some portray it to be. It is a sovereignty issue.

“Patrol activity will be increasing in that region and through the West Philippine Sea in the months ahead and the reason is it built infrastructure in the island in the Paracel group.”

Smith said the Scarborough issue is not about oil and gas but sovereignty over the area.

“I was talking to our energy analyst before I came to this trip and they were telling me there’s no oil and gas in Scarborough Shoal,” he said.

“According to our analyst, it’s not fighting over oil and gas. It is a sovereignty issue.

“It is not economically viable to extract, too deep, we don’t think there is anything significant out there anymore.”

Smith said the Philippines can continue raising the issue before the United Nations. – With Alexis Romero