Sotto, Tolentino back Marcos’ moves on West PH Sea dispute with China

 

MANILA, Philippines — Two Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates believe that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is headed in the right direction in addressing the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute, as other countries have started supporting the Philippines’ claims.

In a  press conference in Pasay City on Tuesday, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he thanks President Marcos for signing into law the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, as he initially filed this bill during the 18th Congress.

Sotto said this after Alyansa bets were asked about Marcos’ stance on the WPS, especially with the increasing tension in  the region.

“Obvious ang stand ko because I filed, I originally filed the declaration of maritime zones of the Philippines because what I wanted was that if China can come up with their own nine-dash line, we will have to come up with our own nine-dash line. The reason I filed that bill is because we cannot just rely on what the Unclos says, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas,” Sotto said.

“So it’s a good thing that after the 18th Congress, we were not able to pass it, the 19th Congress picked it up.  And Senator Tolentino sponsored it and the President has already signed it into law.  Therefore my answer to the question […] is yes, I fully support his stance on the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

Tolentino said he agrees with Sotto’s statements, noting that the Philippine government’s claim over the WPS is now being acknowledged by other nations.

“I concur with the statement of Senator Sotto and we are in agreement that what the President is doing is correct, in fact if you’ve heard of the statements made 48 hours ago, in Munich, (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Enrique) Manalo was able to get the concurrence of newly-appointed, confirmed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in terms of reaffirming that ‘iron-clad commitment’ together with the G7 countries, that’s a big plus, so what the President is doing is correct,” he said.

“And again, there are other nations coming over within the next few days, I don’t have to name names, a Defense minister of a big country is arriving soon to reaffirm again what has been started by President Marcos, so it just goes to show that the posture of the President is correct, while the situation is evolving, he is correct because it is aligned with what other countries are doing right now, supporting the stand of the Philippines,” he added.

Tension in the West Philippine Sea rose anew after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spotted four Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc, including the so-called monster ship — Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG 5901.

Marcos said last February 6 that while the Philippines lacks the capability to drive off Chinese ships, maritime patrols would not stop.