Filipinos should lead marine survey in Philippine waters — Locsin
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign ships may conduct marine survey in Philippine exclusive economic zone provided that they turn over control to Filipino scientists, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.
The Philippines' top diplomat earlier noted that the country cannot ban foreign marine surveys under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea but the foreigners still need permission from the government.
In a Twitter conversation with professor Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, asked if the Philippines could lease marine survey ship and then invite foreigners to join surveys of Filipino scientists.
Batongbacal confirmed that the Philippines can lease foreign marine survey ship if the country does not have the appropriate vessel and if the government does not have budget.
"Without enough money, we have had to enter into cooperation agreements so that our scientists can use their ships, or we joined int'l research projects that also cover our areas of research," Batongbacal replied to Locsin.
Locsin, however, stressed that Filipino scientists cannot join foreign ships as merely passengers.
"We can't join their ships as just passengers; foreigners turn over command and control, all data gathering facilitis, the entire enchilada to Filipinos," Locsin said.
Otherwise, no permission will be granted to foreign research vessels or the ban stays, the DFA chief added.
We can't join their ships as just passengers; foreigners turn over command and control, all data gathering facilities, the entire enchilada to Filipinos. OR NO PERMISSION AND/OR BAN STAYS—WHATEVER IT IS SINCE FUCKING NO KNOWS. BUT THE EFFECT IS NO FOREIGN SURVEY SHIP IN OUR EEZ. https://t.co/UheDGDLO2h
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 14, 2019
In a separate thread, Locsin confirmed that foreigners may "hitch a ride" on Philippine marine survey ships as done in the past.
In May 2016, scientists from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the University of the Philippines conducted an expedition to Benham or Philippine Rise and invited foreign scientists.
Well there you go. Let the foreigners hitch a ride on our marine survey ships. https://t.co/tfqV2VJeyE
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 13, 2019
So finally do we ban marine surveys or do we withhold permission depriving any foreign entity of authority to conduct marine survey. I see the two as 2 ways to skin the same cat. But would appreciate hearing from you. In any case that country is breaking the law. Again our boat. https://t.co/Tu87zemRmT
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 14, 2019
Locsin's pronouncements came after two Chinese survey ships were located operating in Philippine waters.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had questioned the presence of Chinese survey ships in Philippine waters and advised the government to ask the Chinese Embassy to explain what the ships are doing in the country's EEZ.
In response to Lorenzana's remarks, Locsin said the DFA will fire off a diplomatic protest over the presence of Chinese research vessels in Philippine waters.
- Latest
- Trending
