Sea row vs China: Palace confident of global support

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang hopes that all signatory states will back the Philippines in calling on China to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday said the Philippines was confident of getting support not just from governments but from people everywhere in seeking peaceful means to resolve maritime and territorial rows.

“We live in an open and transparent world where people from all areas of the world are able to witness events across the globe and even far from their own countries, and they are moved by the same imperatives of fairness, truth, justice and these resonate not just with them but with the governments that they have elected,” he said.

“So it would be understandable that the citizens from different countries of the world will also be expressing their views to their governments and their governments will, in turn, take that into account as they operate in international fora like the United Nations and the European Union. And that is why we have chosen to bring our case to a tribunal that allows for open discussion of the issues, because that is what we have in our favor. We believe that we have truth, reason and justice on our side.”

Coloma said the Philippines had received support from Australia, Germany, Canada and other countries for the peaceful resolution of the dispute.

“And we are hoping that the other countries that are signatories and are part of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea will also express the same view that, as a whole, the position of a country that seeks peace carries more weight,” he said.

Coloma said arbitration was also proof that the Philippines would not tolerate actions that would violate the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We will remain vigilant in protecting our sovereign rights but maintain equanimity in the face of all of these actions,” he said.

Coloma dissuaded China from criticizing the recent sports matches between Filipino and Vietnamese troops on the Vietnamese-held island of Southwest Cay.

These exercises would show that countries with conflicting claims could coexist, and that disputes could be settled peacefully, he added.

Coloma said the games were part of the confidence-building measures between the Philippines and Vietnam.

Disputes must not stand in the way of friendship and people-to-people exchanges must continue to flourish despite the differences, he added.

In an interview, Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy civil-military operations commander, said the games were meant to maintain the relationship between the Philippines and Vietnam, and not to pick a quarrel with China.

“We want to show that the fellowship can still be developed, notwithstanding the conflicting claims,” he said. “Definitely, it’s not meant to pick on China.” 

Arevalo said the activity also sought to promote “harmony and mutual respect” between the two neighbors.

“Sports eases tension and enhances camaraderie,” he said. “We have tried it with Vietnam and it worked.” – With Alexis Romero