By Monsi A. Serrano
Despite being one of the 168 signatories of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)) treaty and a landmark decision of the Hague Arbitral Court in the South China Sea favoring the Philippines, China remains adamant and continues to pose dangers to Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.
While many countries urge China to respect the rule of law and the international court, a proactive stand was suggested by the international think tank Stratbase ADR Institute by calling for more joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and like-minded countries.
Stratbase President Professor Dindo Manhit made the statement during the biggest West Philippine Sea forum on Friday in celebration of the 8th anniversary of the arbitral award, which rejected China’s expansive nine-dash line and upheld the Philippine position that China has no lawful claims to areas covered by the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf.
In a statement, Manhit urged like-minded countries to “reinforce cooperation and elevate partnerships by conducting joint patrols and military exercises”.
“Let us likewise support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect our territory and maritime resources in the West Philippine Sea. These measures, the Institute believes, send a strong message that the Philippines is not alone. The international community will not tolerate those who attempt to circumvent their obligations and behave aggressively. We will not waver in our determination and commitment,” Manhit said.
During the conference, at least 26 countries, through their ambassadors and their representatives, gathered together and reaffirmed their support on the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Among the countries who reaffirmed their support to the award during the conference were Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the United States. Also present were the ambassadors of Austria, Bangladesh, the European Union, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Vietnam, and representatives from Brunei, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Manhit emphasized the importance of the arbitral ruling and cooperation with like-minded states amid China’s continuous aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
“This year, we witnessed actions – the most aggressive by far — performed against our fellow Filipinos at sea. Our troops, fisherfolk, and vessels encountered several attempts to block rotation and reprovision missions, numerous occasions of firing of water cannons, and an alarming number of collisions and near-collisions… Our boats may be damaged, and our lives may continuously be at risk, but our will to defend the West Philippine Sea has never been stronger,” Manhit said.
“We have the whole of Philippine society behind us as we assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea, and the support of like-minded states in the community of nations. These give us hope and confidence that we will be able to safeguard our national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea. Our collective efforts, whether big or small, have a great impact on our collective pursuit of security and stability,” he added.
Also present during the conference on Wednesday were National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, and heads of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Coast Guard. Foreign and local security and foreign policy experts also joined in the discussions.
“The legally binding arbitral ruling is clear: the West Philippine Sea is ours. It is the responsibility of all parties to abide by and recognize their obligations under international law… The position and the direction of our government are firm: we will not yield. We will never yield. We will be steadfast,” he maintained.
“As we commemorate our victory today, we invite our friends, allies, and partners who also value the rule of law to reinforce cooperation. This, the Institute believes, sends a strong message to those who attempt to circumvent their obligations and behave aggressively. We will not waver in our determination and commitment,” Manhit said.
Majority of Filipinos want gov’t to assert rights over West Philippine Sea
Last year during the 7th anniversary of Arbitral Victory of the Philippines, 84% of Filipinos surveyed recently said that the Philippine Government should assert the nation’s rights in the West Philippine Sea based on the arbitral ruling.
This year, the latest Pulse Asia survey results show that 8 out of 10 Filipinos agree that the current administration must continue asserting the Philippines’ maritime rights and protecting our territory in the West Philippine Sea.
The polling firm released the survey results on Wednesday during the biggest West Philippine Sea conference, organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute.
The survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Institute, was conducted from June 17 to 24, 2024 and asked 1,200 respondents from all over the country
Results showed that 76% of respondents favored the administration’s continuous assertion of our rights in the West Philippine Sea, while 20% were undecided.
Only 3% of Filipinos were against asserting our rights in the West Philippine Sea.
The survey also asked respondents what measures the Philippines should implement in the West Philippine Sea to strengthen its external defense. Respondents were allowed to choose two answers from six options.
Majority of Filipinos (51%) favored reinforcing alliance and elevating partnerships by conducting joint patrols and military exercises with allies, friends, and partners.
Half of Filipinos (50%) also agreed to support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect our territory and marine resources in our Exclusive Economic Zone.
Consequently, the same survey also asked Filipinos to identify the entities they want the Philippines to continue working with in asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea. They were given 11 options and were allowed to choose up to three answers.
A significant 74% of Filipinos said that they want the Philippines to continue working with the United States while 44% said Japan, 41% Canada, and 36% Australia.
Only 5% of Filipinos responded that they want the Philippines to work with China in asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea.