PH committed to peaceful settlement in South China Sea, says Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon. FILE PHOTO

Senate President  Franklin Drilon  reiterated the government’s  commitment  to  peaceful settlement of  conflicting  claims  in the West  Philippine  Sea (South China Sea) when he addressed the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia  on  Thursday.

Drilon is in Russia on the invitation of Mme. Valentina I. Matvienko, chairperson of the Federal Council, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

“The Philippines is committed to the peaceful settlement of conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS,” the Senate leader said.

“Consistent with these norms, we have instituted arbitration proceedings with the appropriate UN tribunal with the firm hope that through international law, peace and justice will prevail,”  he said.

The Senate leader  also  thanked Russia for backing the peaceful   resolution  on the disputes in accordance with international law.

READ: Drilon, Russia back peaceful settlement of West PH Sea dispute

“We are grateful to Russia for your continuing interest in this issue. Your support for the peaceful settlement of international disputes is consistent with, and supports, our principled position that the West Philippine Sea dispute should be settled,”  said Drilon.

Aside from speaking at the Federal Council, the Senate President also met with several top Russian officials during his stay.  He also signed with Matvienko an agreement that will strengthen ties and boost cooperation between the upper houses of the legislatures of the Philippines and Russia.

Drilon, in his address, noted that the shared interests and common sacrifices of Russians and Filipinos form the firm foundation of a lasting relationship.

“While geography has destined us to be far away from each other, this has not prevented us from forging a friendship based on shared interests and enriched by parallel experiences,” he said, citing in particular the suffering and sacrifices of both countries in World War II.

The Senate also pushed for cooperation in other areas, saying that the Philippines wants Russia “to be one of our global partners.”

He then cited  the mutual assistance to nationals caught in conflict and crisis in Third-World countries, cooperation in fighting transnational crimes, including “practical cooperative actions to combat and prevent terrorism, including terrorist financing, and build the capabilities of its international partners.”

On economic cooperation, the Senate leader said the Philippines is keen on working with Russia as this would contribute to economic growth for both countries.

He said the Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and that the long-term economic outlook is indeed optimistic. He attributed this to reforms implemented at home, aimed at promoting good governance, curbing corruption, and strengthening the rule of law.

“I am proud to say that our Senate of the Philippines has contributed greatly to advance this agenda by enacting much needed laws that are both timely and highly relevant to these objectives,” Drilon said.

“To sustain the country’s growth momentum, we need to expand the horizons of our economic partnership . . . to look beyond traditional partners and develop new ones.”

“This is where the Philippines and Russia, one of the largest economies in the world, can work together with tangible and immediate benefit for our people. Because of our shared interests, Philippines-Russia relations have consistently grown since we established diplomatic relations almost 40 years ago – no matter what the global context was,”  he further said. TVJ

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