Aquino gov’t to seek third party mediation in Scarborough row

MANILA, Philippines—The Aquino administration would seek a third-party mediator to the country’s ongoing conflict with China over the ownership of Panatag Shoal, the Palace said on Thursday as it rejected Beijing’s call for Manila not to take their conflict to other nations.

“Let’s just say that we agree to disagree on that respect,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in response to China’s call for the Philippines not to raise tension by bringing their dispute over Panatag shoal or Scarborough Shoal to other countries.

Lacierda made it clear that the government would like to raise the dispute to the International Court on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and had as basis the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  China’s claim is based on its “nine-dash line theory.”

Lacierda said it would be “more prudent” to “approach a third-party mediator” to break the deadlock between two parties.

“And under UNCLOS, we have the ITLOS to take care of that. And so we’re just using the mechanisms provided for by international conventions,” he added.

Lacierda said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario were expected to take up the Panatag shoal standoff during their meeting with their American counterparts, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and State Secretary Hilary Clinton, dubbed as “2 plus 2” in Washington DC next week.

“What we’re sure of is the Scarborough Shoal (incident) will be discussed but other than that, we don’t know yet what will be the outcome. So let’s wait for the outcome of the discussions of the 2 plus 2 talks,” Lacierda said.

Filipino and Chinese vessels had been stationed in the shoal –located just off waters of Zambales — for over two weeks as the two nations claim ownership over the area.