PH eyes ‘early’ adoption of code of conduct in South China Sea—DFA

This July 20, 2011 file photo, captured through the window of a closed aircraft, shows an aerial view of Pag-asa Island, part of the disputed Spratly group of islands, in the South China Sea located off the coast of western Philippines. AP File Photo/Pool

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said it hopes that a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea would soon be adopted and implemented by concerned parties.

“The Philippines wants to see the early adoption of the COC,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said in a speech read by his representative at the 2nd Manila Conference on the South China Sea.

Yasay’s speech was read by Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, who said the secretary was away due to an urgent matter.

The speech was given a month after the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued an award in favor of the Philippines, which filed a petition questioning China’s controversial “nine-dash line” claim.

READ: PH welcomes ‘milestone decision’ on West Philippine Sea

In the speech, Yasay recalled how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China agreed in 2002 on a Declaration of Conduct (DOC) as several countries claim parts of the South China Sea. It was supposed to result in a COC that would effectively manage tensions in the disputed area.

“All parties need to work expeditiously towards the establishment of an effective code of conduct (COC), and undertake activities that are in good faith and consistent with international law with the aim of advancing, and not delaying, the process,” Yasay said.

According to the DOC, signed by Asean member states and China, a COC “would further promote peace and stability in the region and agree to work, on the basis of consensus, towards the eventual attainment of this objective.”

However, the COC has long been stalled as reports say it is difficult to get consensus among the diverse Asean nations, four of which claim parts of South China Sea—Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Philippines.

China, on the other hand, has refused to acknowledge the results of the tribunal’s decision. RAM

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