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‘Ch artificial islands moving Ph coasts’
By Nidz Godino
“Supported by rules-based international order and our growing partnerships, both time-tested and new ones, we will insist on preservation of the sovereignty and integrity of the country, while working closely with international partners in bilateral, regional and multilateral settings in developing rules and processes to address these challenges,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Chinese military facilities on reclaimed land features in West Philippine Sea have come alarmingly close to country’s coastlines.
FMJ expressed concern over what he called “false narratives,” “coercive tactics” and “dangerous maneuvers” aimed at restricting activities in Philippine territorial waters.
In his remarks at Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Marcos said Philippines has to work with its allies, including treaty partner United States, to maintain peace in South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Philippines calls its area in South China Sea the West Philippine Sea.
FMJ did not specifically mention China, but he was apparently referring to Asian giant, had reclaimed numerous land features in West Philippine Sea and turned them into bases and fortresses Chinese aircraft and ships are deployed to harass Philippine vessels and fishing boats.
He said tensions in West Philippine Sea are growing, with “persistent unlawful threats and challenges” against Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
Such actions, he said, were violations of international law, specifically 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and were inconsistent with 2002 Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
FMJ lamented progress has been slow in crafting of code of conduct for South China Sea claimants.
He revealed Philippines has approached other countries in the region with which it has disputes like Vietnam and Malaysia “to make our own code of conduct.”
FMJ described role of the Philippines’ alliance with US as “critical,” noting that Washington is Manila’s most traditional ally and sole treaty partner.
“Increasing tensions in South China Sea require we partner with our allies and our friends around the world so as to come to some kind of resolution and to maintain peace,” he said.
FMJ said Philippines appreciates “concrete manifestations” of US of its continued support as well as growing number of foreign partners backing Philippines’ position.
“So, I have said it before and I will say it again, Philippines will not give single square inch of our territory to any foreign power. Law is clear as defined by UNCLOS and final and binding 2016 Award on South China Sea Arbitration,” he added.
FMJ was referring to ruling of an arbitral court based in The Hague, voided China’s expansive maritime claim in resource-rich South China Sea and affirmed Philippines’ sovereign rights over its EEZ.
China vowed not to recognize landmark ruling, calling it mere piece of paper.
FMJ detailed unlawful activities in West Philippine Sea endanger lives and harm environment.
He said Philippines’ regular routine and resupply missions in Ayungin Shoal are subjected to “coercive tactics and dangerous maneuvers” by Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels.
FMJ also cited “rampant illegal, unreported and unregulated” fishing and militarization of reclaimed features in South China Sea.
He said recent Philippine inspection of Escoda (Sabina) and Romulo (Iroquois) Reefs revealed “direct correlation between presence of maritime militia vessels and reef damage in those features.”
“If only for that, impact on biodiversity and environment are… I’m afraid assessed as possibly already irreversible… imperils livelihoods… imperils future generations of Filipinos, strong, factual messaging in support of our lawful exercise of our rights under international law, and will call out recent incidents in our EEZ, it demonstrates strength of our alliance and partnership and challenges attempts to perpetuate false narratives,” FMJ said.
FMJ argued rhetoric is not enough to ensure security in West Philippine Sea.
“We need to upgrade our defense and civilian law enforcement capabilities not only to defend ourselves but also to enable us to become reliable partner in promoting and guaranteeing regional security… would require greater substantial infusions into funding streams needed for our armed forces and coast guard modernization plans, including lines of effort to enhance cyber cooperation, I am optimistic from our recent engagements with our American counterparts, including US legislators, and certainly in executive department, to elevate our partnership and dedicate resources to match our commitments,” Chief Executive said.
FMJ said Philippines and US have been working on bilateral planning and tracking mechanism that is seen to accelerate concrete and substantial capability development investments and activities to meet shared defense and security objectives over next five years.
Defense chiefs of the two countries also met in Jakarta on sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, to discuss efforts to further strengthen their alliance, he added.
“Our growing network of partners, including Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UK, European Union will serve as force multipliers which will help us bring our country closer to vision of peaceful, secure and prosperous nation, within secure and prosperous region, so, I hope to continue this dialogue with all of you as we make our way on this principled path that we have chosen,” FMJ said.
FMJ delivered his strongly worded statements days after his meeting in San Francisco with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom he discussed ways to lessen tensions in West Philippine Sea.
Before delivering his remarks, FMJ visited headquarters of US Indo Pacific Command, first Philippine president to do so, according to Malacañang.
He also visited USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, where he offered wreath to honor those who died during the attack by Japanese forces on Dec. 7, 1941.
In interview at same forum, FMJ described conflict in Myanmar as “very, very difficult problem” of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“There is great deal of impetus for ASEAN to solve this problem…but it is very, very difficult problem,” FMJ said.
According to FMJ, Philippines is interested in developments in Myanmar because Filipinos were among those being trafficked to conflict-torn country.
More than two million people have been displaced by clashes between ethnic armed groups and Myanmar military, according to United Nations.
ASEAN members had criticized Myanmar’s junta for failing to achieve significant gains on plan supposed to address crisis stemmed from military coup unseated elected civilian government.
Junta has been prohibited from participating in ASEAN summits since 2022. Myanmar has been replaced by Philippines as event’s host for 2026.
During ASEAN Retreat in Jakarta last September, FMJ said one test of regional bloc’s relevance is its ability to facilitate peaceful resolution to Myanmar problem.
He stressed ASEAN’s significance in international stage can only be maintained so long as it can show rest of the world that it continues to be “ force for positive change.”
“We remain firm resolution to Myanmar crisis should be Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led…we continue to support efforts of ASEAN Chair to engage all stakeholders in Myanmar, we reiterate all efforts in Myanmar should be in line with five-point consensus and done in coordination with Chair of ASEAN,”FMJ c oncluded.
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