Zubiri urges int’l community to support PH on rules-based order in WPS

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri addresses fellow parliamentarians during the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday, March 24, 2024. (Screengrab/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has appealed to the international community to support and stand firm with the Philippines in promoting freedom of navigation and international rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea.

Zubiri spoke about the conflict in the West Philippine Sea in a speech before the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly in Geneva, Switzerland over the weekend. A copy of his speech was released to reporters this Tuesday.

“Let me emphasize that the Philippines has consistently adhered to international rules-based order, ensured freedom of navigation in the area, and practiced restraint in dealing with the harassment and provocations of our neighbor in the north,” the Senate chief said.

“It takes a community of nations to preserve and nurture peace, thus, we appeal to the international community to support and stand firm with us in promoting freedom of navigation and adherence to international rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

He made the appeal on March 24, just a day after the latest water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against a Philippine boat.

READ: Zubiri reveals 75% of Filipinos want US-PH military partnership in West PH Sea 

Unaizah May 4 was on its way to bring supplies to Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal when it was hit by water cannons from two CCG vessels.

The incident caused “heavy damage” to the supply boat and injuries to Navy personnel onboard.

“We have shown that dialogue across political and ideological divides is possible,” Zubiri continued.

“Our belief in the power of dialogue is why I urge us all to harness the parliamentary ties that bind us to strengthen the values we share and realize our common dream of all our people living in a world at peace,” he added.

In the same speech, the Senate leader reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to IPU’s “foundational principle of renouncing war as a foreign policy tool.”

He also conveyed the Philippines’ sympathies to the victims of the recent shooting attack at Crocus City Hall in Russia.

“The raging strifes that dot the world underscore the mission that we parliamentarians should pursue on behalf of mankind,” Zubiri said.

“And that is to mount a campaign to pause war, to stop the bloodshed, and end the suffering of innocent civilians whose lives have been disrupted, but whose hopes for peace have not been dashed, by war.”

READ: Zubiri on China’s harassment of PH vessels: ‘This is not their backyard’

Zubiri believes the IPU could become “facilitators of peace.”

“To recall, the advocacies of our fledging Union then later became a powerful force that gave birth to peace institutions such as the United Nations,” he said.

“This legacy of bold thinking and brave action should spur parliaments of the world today to craft strategies that will silence the guns this time,” he stressed.

Zubiri pointed out that for 100 years, “the Philippines has allied itself with the cause of peace.”