Lawmakers in the House of Representatives urged President Rodrigo Duterte to be more transparent in his dealings with China and to use as leverage the country’s favorable position over the West Philippine Sea.
In an “Ugnayan sa Batasan” forum at the House of Representatives, former customs chief and now Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon said the country’s favorable decision in its maritime case against China over the disputed waters should be invoked especially now that China is planning to construct structures on the Panatag Shoal.
READ: Investigate Duterte-China deal on Benham Rise, Congress urged
Biazon earlier said he would file a resolution urging Congress to investigate the government’s dealings over the country’s eastern seaboard.
“I think it should be invoked whenever there is a threat to our rights or interest,” said Biazon, who is vice chair of the House national defense and security committee.
Biazon said it is the proper time to remind President Duterte that the Philippines has the advantage of maritime rights over the West Philippine Sea.
“I think it’s proper timing for us to remind him na mayroon din tayong favorable international resolution on this matter. That somehow, the word is on our side on this matter…The ball is in our side,” Biazon said.
Biazon had this reminder for Duterte after the Chief Executive said he could not do anything to stop China from building structures on Panatag Shoal, amid reports China is building an environmental monitoring station there.
READ: Duterte: I can’t stop China in Panatag
This even though Philippines won its maritime case against China over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea, when the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal in the Hague ruled that China’s historic nine-dash line claiming almost all the South China Sea has no historic and legal basis and that the West Philippine Sea falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
READ: Philippines wins arbitration case vs. China over South China Sea
Biazon said it is also high time for the Philippines to accept the reality that China also has its own selfish interests to look after.
“Tanggapin natin na mayroong behavior ang China na hindi kinikilala ang ibang internationally recognized resolutions, dahil mayroon silang sariling interests na sinusundan. (Let’s accept the behavior of China that it does not recognize other internationally recognized resolutions, because they have their own interests to look after). That’s how it is in international relations, each country is selfish for its own interests,” Biazon said.
Biazon said the President should be transparent about his dealings with China, amid reports Duterte had an arrangement with China to allow its surveillance ships in Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare mineral-rich undersea region east of Luzon, where Chinese ships had been spotted last year.
This supposed arrangement was reportedly not known to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
The United Nations in 2012 declared Benham Rise as part of the Philippine continental shelf.
READ: UN approves PH territorial claim to Benham Rise
“We have rights over these areas; these rights extend to the next generation… If we are to deal away with these rights, it’s important that we have transparency so that people will understand,” Biazon said.
For his part, 1-Ang Edukasyon Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. also urged President Duterte to use as leverage the arbitration decision for the country to engage into joint ventures with China.
“I’m not saying we should abandon our rights. What I’m saying is our right is something we can do as a leverage,” Belaro said.
“Perhaps it’s time to remind the President that he should make an actual statement (on) what’s his interpretation of such an act,” he added.
China had said the Philippines could not claim Benham Rise as its own territory, and that the passage of the Chinese survey ships supposedly to look for submarine stations was an “innocent passage” and part of its freedom of navigation supported by international law.
READ: PH can’t claim Benham Rise as its own territory—Beijing
President Duterte took a soft stance on the Benham Rise, adding that the Philippines should not fight China about sovereignty or ownership over the Benham Rise especially because the Philippines could not match China’s might.
“Why would I pick a fight, I’d rather talk,” Duterte said.
READ: ‘Let’s not fight over sovereignty at this time,’ says Duterte on Benham Rise
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, who earlier filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte, said he will file a supplemental impeachment complaint against Duterte for committing the act of treason in his sweet dealings with China. JE
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