DFA spokesman Charles Jose. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines had “chosen the right path” when it took its case against China over their dispute in the South China Sea to the UN arbitration tribunal, following the recent “strong support” shown by the United States for Manila’s action, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.
Foreign Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, also the DFA spokesman, said the latest US statement of support was issued by Rep. Ed Royce who chairs the House foreign affairs committee and who met with the Asia-Pacific Islander community in the United States on June 30.
At that event, Royce voiced “his opposition to China’s effort to unilaterally declare sovereignty over areas of territory in the East China and South China Sea,” Jose said.
US Senate resolution
On Tuesday, the Philippine Embassy in Washington welcomed a US Senate resolution passed last week that urged Beijing and other claimants in the South China Sea to observe a freeze on their activities that could escalate tensions in the disputed areas.
The US resolution and Royce’s statement of support came after Manila recently protested the reclamation activities being undertaken by China in the Philippines’ sovereign waters.
In a news briefing, Jose said the US statements were “very strong support for our position.”
“It shows that we have chosen the right path in dealing with the South China Sea dispute, which is to try and resolve it in a peaceful manner and by adhering to the rule of law, particularly international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Jose said.
International support
He said the DFA recognized the importance of international support for the Philippine action, acknowledging that US support was important since America was a superpower.
Jose thanked Royce for “recognizing the situation as crucial for regional stability in the Asia Pacific.”
He noted that Royce, a member of the US-Philippine congressional friendship caucus, visited the country in February as leader of a bipartisan delegation made up of nine US representatives.
Royce met with President Aquino and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and expressed his support for Manila’s arbitration case, believing that this was a peaceful means of resolving the dispute and that Philippine rights should be respected.
Jose also thanked the Asia-Pacific petition group for its “steadfast support” for two pending bills in the US House of Representatives—HB No. 772 and HB No. 4495—that pertain to the peaceful and collaborative resolution of the South China Sea dispute and a stronger US commitment to the security and stability of the region.
Freedom of navigation
Reacting to the US Senate resolution that was passed last week, Jose said the DFA “welcomes all statements that express support for a peaceful resolution of disputes and adherence to the rule of law.”
Also welcoming the passage of US Senate Resolution No. 412 on July 9 was Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., who thanked Sen. Robert Menendez, chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations, and his colleagues for their support of the Philippine position.
In a report to Del Rosario, Cuisia said the Senate resolution also reaffirmed Washington’s strong support for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and the US mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.
The resolution also “urges all parties to refrain from engaging in destabilizing activities, including illegal occupation or efforts to unlawfully assert administration over disputed claims and ensure that disputes are managed without intimidation, coercion or force.”
The resolution also said that Manila was exercising its right to a peaceful settlement in filing the arbitration case against China and hoped Beijing would abide by the ruling.
China has refused to take part in the arbitration case and the UN tribunal has given Beijing until December to respond.