Aquino pushes for rule of law in resolving territorial disputes

By: TJ Burgonio - 11 years ago

President Benigno Aquino III AFP FILE PHOTO

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar – President Benigno Aquino III pressed anew Saturday for the rule of law in resolving territorial conflicts at the annual gathering of Southeast Asian leaders here amid a flare-up of tensions in the South China Sea.

The President arrived here Saturday for the two-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that was to begin with a dinner hosted by Myanmar President Thein Sein for the leaders at a convention center.

Before departing for Myanmar’s capital, Aquino said he would apprise fellow Asean leaders of a formal pleading submitted by the Philippines to a United Nations arbitration body, questioning China’s “nine-dash line” claim to most of the South China Sea, including areas that fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea.

“This is what we wish to express: Let’s uphold and follow the rule of law in resolving territorial issues so that recognition and respect for the right of each country prevails,” he said at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“This step mirrors our position: A dialogue between two countries can’t resolve issues affecting different members of a region,” he added.

The overlapping claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, Taiwan and China over parts of the South China Sea are expected to dominate discussions in Sunday’s sessions on the face of heightened tensions in the strategic waterway.

Vietnam is now locked in a standoff with China over its planting of an oil rig off the contested Paracel Islands. Vietnam has accused China of using water cannons and ramming eight of its ships last Sunday.

Last Wednesday, Philippine authorities rounded up 11 Chinese fishermen for poaching turtles in waters around Half Moon Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the name the Manila government has given that part of the South China Sea it claims.

The Philippines filed on March 30 a memorandum, technically called a memorial, in the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, asking it to rule on Beijing’s claim to most of the South China Sea.

It asserted that the Chinese stance was illegal under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and interfered with the Philippines’ sovereign rights to its continental shelf and the part of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone, which it calls the West Philippine Sea.

The tribunal had directed the Philippines to submit the memorandum after filing a case against China in January 2013.

The filing of the memorial drew a sharp rebuke from Chinese officials, who accused the Philippines of seriously damaging the two countries’ relations and shutting the door to negotiations.

Beijing has balked at taking part in the arbitration, insisting on bilateral negotiations.

The Asean leaders are to open their summit Sunday morning with a plenary session on Asean integration and connectivity at the Myanmar International Convention Center.

After lunch, they will meet again for a so-called “retreat” to discuss current regional and international issues. Aquino will be the sixth leader to make a statement.

Foreign Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said Friday that the Philippines and Vietnam were expected to become more vocal on the South China Sea issue given the fresh tensions in the waterway.

Jose said Aquino would push for the early adoption of a Code of Conduct to replace the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, a 2002 non-aggression pact that has failed to stop clashes in the waterway.

Aquino said he would engage his counterparts in the region on a host of issues, such as strengthening security, responding to climate change, and taking care of the marginalized sectors.

“It’s clear to us: The difficulties facing Asean would be resolved sooner if there is strong cooperation between the member-countries,” Aquino said in his departure speech.

This, he said, was the founding principle of the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response that became the means for Asian countries to provide aid for the survivors of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan) last November.

“That’s why we will take this opportunity to personally thank them for the help and support,” he said.

Aquino said he would also report on the signing of comprehensive agreement with Moro rebels carving a new, autonomous Bangsamoro region in southern Philippines.

“This way, we will be able to present a model for achieving lasting peace that brings about wide development,” he said.

The President left with a 56-member delegation, including Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Andrea Abad, Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino and Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria.

Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo left ahead of them.

Malacañang has allotted P6.8 million for Aquino’s summit attendance.