MALACAÑANG on Thursday said it will continue to push for the creation of a Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to finally keep the movement of Chinese ships within disputed territory in check.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque issued the reply when asked if the government will consider a proposal for the government to construct “inexpensive structures” to assert its rights on its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the WPS.
“We remain committed to the codification of a Code of Conduct, so that’s the direction,” Roque said in an online press briefing on Thursday.
On Tuesday, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reiterated its concern over the “swarming” of 240 Chinese Coast Guard ships within the country’s EEZ.
The Philippine Coast Guard, which conducted surveillance of the area, that several Chinese fishermen were poaching giant clams in the vicinity of the Pag-asa Islands off Palawan.
The encroachment was condemned by the Department of Defense (DND), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and labor groups for compromising the country’s territorial integrity and freedom of navigation.
In announcing the filing of more diplomatic protests over the swarming, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. earlier also expressed concern over the continued taking by the Chinese vessels of vital marine resources—“everything in the water that belongs by law to us: fish, clams, and in such big quantities as to wipe out sustainability.”
Friendly ties
Roque said President Duterte will use his friendly ties with China to resolve the encroachment of its ships in the WPS.
He, however, declined to further elaborate on how the President will capitalize on the relations to compel China to respect the country’s territorial boundaries.
“Let the President [do] it through his private means. Such diplomatic initiatives should not be announced to the public. Needless to day, the reason why this is covered by the exception [to freedom of information], is the President must make the right decision [on issue] no matter what,” Roque said.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called on China to prove its friendly ties with the country by removing its ships from the Philippine EEZ.
“Hundreds of thousands of Chinese now work in the Philippines, even as there are hundreds of thousands of Filipinos also working in Chinese territories,” TUCP Vice President Luis Corral said in a statement.
“It is in this spirit that we speak candidly, and call on China to match deed to words, and respect, observe and abide with Philippine national sovereignty, if, we, as peoples and nations, will truly keep the peace and build prosperity for all,” he added.
Image credits: Philippine Coast Guard via AP