Palace: Duterte won’t change South China Sea policy

MANILA, Philippines — There’s no way President Duterte will change his policy on the West Philippine Sea or apologize for it, his spokesman said yesterday, at the same time blaming the previous Aquino administration for triggering the militarization of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

“When we had a confrontation with the Chinese, they drove us away from Panatag. Let’s not forget it was president Aquino who militarized it. He sent the Navy so the Chinese never left,” Roque said in Filipino at a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City.

He was referring to a standoff at Panatag Shoal in 2012 that ended up with China taking control of the shoal and preventing Filipinos from fishing in the area.

Navy ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar was trying to accost Chinese poachers when it was stopped from doing so by Chinese surveillance vessels.

Roque was commenting on acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio’s chiding the President for insisting that asserting the Philippines’ sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea would only divide the nation.

Duterte is being criticized for not challenging China’s aggressive moves in the West Philippine Sea. In his speeches, Duterte had repeatedly voiced his aversion to antagonizing a powerful China. He said confronting China militarily would surely result in a massacre of Filipino soldiers.

Carpio insisted Filipinos asserting the country’s territorial rights have never called for a war with China.

Carpio, in a speech before graduating students of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance last Friday, also cited the need to “resist any and all attempts to weaken the nation” in defending its national territory and maritime zones.

“The President would not apologize for that (policy). If we use violence just like what president Aquino did, which led to the occupation by the Chinese of the Panatag... a military conflict would ensue and that is what we are trying to avoid,” Roque said.

The shoal, a traditional fishing ground, is situated 124 nautical miles off Zambales and is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

China claims about 90 percent of the South China Sea while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

China’s claim was voided by an international arbitral tribunal in 2016 but the Chinese government has refused to recognize the ruling. The tribunal’s decision stemmed from a complaint filed by the Aquino administration contesting China’s “excessive” and “exaggerated” claim.

Roque said Duterte’s policy has led to bilateral cooperation with China, which is now providing military and development aid to the Philippines.

Roque also insisted that international law does not bar Chinese aircraft from landing in the Philippines.

“All aircraft, provided that they asked for a permit, are allowed to refuel. I do not know of any prohibitions in the International Law that bars Chinese planes from using airports if they are allowed by the host country,” the spokesman said in Filipino.

Last Saturday, a Chinese plane again landed in Davao City to refuel but officials claimed all local protocols were observed. The landing happened two weeks after a Chinese military aircraft landed in the city.

Tell the people

President Duterte should tell the public if his administration has special arrangements with China regarding the refueling of its aircraft, a party-list lawmaker said.

“Why do Chinese military aircraft refuel in President Duterte’s hometown in Davao City amid the West Philippine Sea dispute and lack of any military agreement with China?” asked Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao in a statement yesterday.

Casilao said “Davao City is becoming a logistical hub for China.”

He urged the people to “actively protest the transforming of the country as Chinese military base in the region” and press Duterte “to disclose his arrangements and concessions with the foreign superpower.” – With Ding Cervantes

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