The Philippines and the United States: A dynamic alliance

(Keynote remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Banyan Tree Leadership Forum, Washington, 23 June 2011.)

(Conclusion)

We intend to lend our voice and the force of our convictions to the issues that define us — the protection and promotion of the rights of our citizens, the establishment of the institutions of democracy, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

A few weeks ago, I have advocated for the pursuit and promotion of a rules-based international system, which will provide an effective tool for peaceful and fair resolution of disputes.

Not since the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef incident in 1995 has the Philippines faced serious challenges in the West Philippine Sea, otherwise known as the South China Sea (SCS). For instance, our ownership of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) features and our legitimate maritime jurisdictions have been contested by certain nations, even as the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction over the KIG are firmly grounded on international law.

The primacy of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is the cornerstone on which we define and protect our territory and maritime entitlements in the SCS. It is this principle and the requirements of UNCLOS that governed the passage in 2009 of the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law (R.A. 9522). It is also the same principles that underpin the two vital pieces of proposed legislation defining our maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes.

In the same manner, we are fully committed to the spirit and letter of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China, and will utilize all diplomatic means at our disposal to work for a binding regional code of conduct.

To reinforce this goal, we offered a framework that transforms the SCS from an area of dispute to a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) by a segregation of disputed relevant features from the undisputed waters of the SCS consistent with UNCLOS. In the words of President Aquino, ZoPFF/C is a modality for ensuring that “what is ours is ours, and with what is disputed, we are willing to work towards joint cooperation.”         

There should be no room for discourse on what are clearly internal waters. The disputed features, on the other hand, can be transformed into a Joint Cooperation Area for joint development and the establishment of a marine protected area for biodiversity conservation under ZoPFF/C. 

We are confident that ZoPFF/C represents an important contribution to securing peace, stability and progress in the SCS within a rule-of-law framework, and that the concept deserves serious and favorable consideration by countries with stakes in the SCS.

The Philippines’ policy in the SCS, both with respect to securing its terrestrial and maritime domain and to advocating dispute resolution and joint cooperation where applicable, is grounded on an unwavering adherence to international law. Since international law must be observed, it behooves the Philippines to embrace this imperative to the fullest.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The immutable forces of geography have predestined for our countries a shared history; but it is the choices we have made through the years that has allowed our relations to evolve and to endure. As we stand at important crossroads, we are called upon again to reshape our engagement in a way that will allow it to meet our mutual needs, and grow beyond our expectations.

I firmly believe in the strength of our alliance, and more so in the dynamism of the ties that bind us. By the grace of God, and with the determination of our governments and people, I am confident that we can provide a new impetus to our relations, which will propel us towards our shared aspirations for peace, prosperity and progress.

Thank you very much.