DOJ explores solutions for WPS sovereignty

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To safeguard the nation's territorial integrity without resorting to aggressive measures, the Department of Justice (DOJ) outlined key measures for the Philippines to assert sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea ( WPS) during the WPS Strategic Communication Workshop organized by the Philippine Information Agency.

“We are here so that we can have a voice and understand the issue regarding the West Philippine Sea. This is not only about the sea; this is not only about water; this is about our economy; this is about the lives of the Filipino people,” said PIA Director General Jose Torres, Jr.

Lawyer Fretti Ganchoon from the DOJ said the arbitral award clarified that Filipinos have additional fishing rights. In the peripherals of the Scarborough Shoals, the action of China in prohibiting them from fishing in the shoals violates international law.

“In the WPS, the Philippines has the exclusive right to fish, construct artificial islands, conduct marine scientific research, and take measures to protect and preserve the marine environment,” she added.

Thus, Ganchoon suggested that the Philippine government could incentivize fisherfolk to adopt sustainable fishing practices in the WPS. Emphasizing the exclusive rights of the Philippines, she also proposed providing incentives to scientists for conducting vital marine scientific research in the area.

Highlighting the international dimension of the issue, Ganchoon noted the absence of an international police force to enforce maritime laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Hence, she said the Philippines has the option to rally support from other nations.

Further citing strategies to claim sovereign rights when it comes to communication, Assistant Secretary Michael Andre del Rosario of the Presidential Communications Office said, “We have to be firm, but we also have to be mindful du’n sa ating comms, sa ating mga materials, na [in our communication materials that] we don't go beyond what is the limit of firmness and what is right.”

Legal foundation Referring to the tribunal ruling, Ganchoon asserted that China has illegally occupied seven maritime features in the West Philippine Sea. This ruling, she argued, provides a legal foundation for the Philippines to safeguard its sovereign rights and seek international cooperation in upholding the tribunal's decision.

As the Philippines takes proactive steps to protect its interests in the West Philippine Sea, the government remains committed to diplomatic channels, international cooperation, and innovative strategies to ensure the country’s stability and adherence to international law.

“There are still a lot of things to be done. We are gaining momentum. But this momentum needs to be sustained by addressing the disconnect between the national government and the grassroots level. This is needed in order to make every Filipino a stakeholder in this issue, which is the key to cementing our gains in the West Philippine Sea issue,” said Maj. Gen. Nestor Herico, deputy director general of the National Security Council.

The communication strategic workshop will also be held for the regional offices of PIA in the Visayas. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran and Recthie T. Paculba)