Bishop to OFWs in China: Avoid debates on sea row ruling

Pro-Beijing protesters shout slogans against the United States supporting an international court ruling of the South China Sea outside the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong, Thursday, July. 14, 2016. China warned other countries Wednesday against threatening its security in the South China Sea after an international tribunal handed the Philippines a victory by saying Beijing had no legal basis for its expansive claims there. AP

A Catholic bishop reminded overseas Filipino workers in China to be cautious and not to engage in debates about an international court’s ruling favoring the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute.

Bataan bishop Ruperto Santos noted that while they accept and thank God for the decision, Filipino workers should not brag about the historic ruling.

Santos is chairperson of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Pastoral Care for Migrant and Itinerant People.

“We should be magnanimous that we should not brag about it; let us accept everything with humility and with appreciation but we don’t boast about it,” said the Catholic bishop over Radio Veritas.

He added: “We advise our OFWs to maintain what they are doing that they are responsible, respectful that they are quiet and there is no need for open debate and discussion.”

Early this week, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources in the disputed South China Sea.

China has been aggressive in its reclamation activities in the contested territory, building installations on reefs and barring fishermen from other countries from traditional fishing grounds.

While the Philippines and other Asian countries welcomed the decision, China, which did not participate in the proceedings, said it will ignore the ruling.

Santos warned OFWs in China to avoid engaging in debates over the landmark ruling, especially on social media.

It may be recalled that the CBCP earlier urged the faithful to pray the “Oratio Imperata” or obligatory prayer in connection with the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Meanwhile, another Catholic bishop welcomed the ruling and called on the government to take action to ensure that fishermen can freely fish anew in the West Philippine Sea.

Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Palawan bishop Pedro Arigo said he Philippines is losing billions of marine resources because Filipino fishermen are prevented from fishing by Chinese authorities.

“I’m not yet speaking about the natural gas and oil deposits there. So the government really has to do something now,” Arigo said in a separate interview over the Church-run radio station./rga