Hontiveros: PH may be forced to sue China due to new rule vs trespassers

In this September 23, 2015, photo, provided by Filipino fisherman Renato Etac, a Chinese Coast Guard boat sprays a water cannon at Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. (Renato Etac via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines may be forced to sue China if it pushes through with its new rule of detaining foreigners deemed “illegally crossing” its borders without trial, Senator Risa Hontiveros said.

“Should Beijing dare push through with this illegitimate regulation, the Philippines’ hand may be forced to sue them again in the Hague Tribunal,” the senator said in a statement on Sunday.

READ: China Coast Guard: We can detain trespassers

“In the mean time, as advised by former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the Philippine government must now urge allies such as the US, Japan, Australia, France, and other like-minded nations to oppose this flagrant violation of international law by joining our patrols within our Exclusive Economic Zone,” she added.

Hontiveros also urged China to “better abrogate on this shameless policy” and to “better stop inciting violence in our waters.”

“China better leave the West Philippine Sea alone,” she continued.

In a 92-page document titled “Provisions on Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures of Coast Guard Agencies,” given by the Chinese Embassy in Manila to reporters, it said that China has approved new regulations authorizing its coast guard to detain for up to 60 days without trial foreign trespassers who cross what it claims are its borders.

The release of the document coincided with a Philippine civilian mission organized by “Atin Ito” (This is Ours) Coalition launched on Wednesday to assert Manila’s claims over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

According to Hontiveros, the “Atin Ito” mission “clearly hit a nerve for China.”

“But instead of responding like a dignified country, she resorts to this tyrannical tactic that will only escalate tensions even further,” she added.

READ: Zubiri hits China bid to detain ‘trespassers’ in disputed waters

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also hit China’s new rule, calling it a clear violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“Clear violation of the law of the seas, particularly on the freedom of navigation,” Zubiri said over a Radyo 630 interview last Friday.