Yasay on China row resolution: Not in ‘our lifetime’

FOREIGN AFFAIRS Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. on Wednesday expressed doubt that a maritime sovereignty dispute with China could be resolved “during our lifetime,” so it was better to set it aside, engage Beijing and avoid an armed confrontation.

The country’s top diplomat also dealt with questions about his alleged US citizenship when he appeared on Wednesday, Feb. 22, before the Commission on Appointments (CA), which suspended anew his confirmation hearing because of pending concerns by CA members from the House of Representatives.

In a defense of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s decision not to push China to abide by an international arbitration ruling that went in Manila’s favor last year, Mr. Yasay said there was an impasse that neither side could break, so it was better to maximize benefits from Beijing instead.

During questioning by senators at his confirmation hearing, Mr. Yasay said China’s stance and strategic objectives in the South China Sea meant a resolution was unlikely.

“I do not believe personally... that this will be resolved soon, I believe that maybe perhaps it will not be resolved during our lifetime, but the option is not war, that we engage ourselves forcibly to assert our claims,” he said.

“I am not saying this in categorical terms ... but now, as you ask me this question, on the basis of what I know and on the basis of pronouncements that have been made, I am not as optimistic,” Mr. Yasay added.

Mr. Duterte has turned Philippine foreign policy upside down by making overtures toward rival China to attract its trade, tourists and infrastructure investment.

Mr. Yasay said the new approach was to capitalize on a “convergence of our interests.”

‘NO LEGAL BASIS’

Mr. Yasay’s remarks came a day after he chaired a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers, who expressed “grave concern” over China putting weapon systems on some of its man-made islands in the South China Sea.

Asked at his hearing if the Philippines owned the disputed islands it claims, Mr. Yasay said that would have “no legal basis.”

He said last year’s arbitration award in The Hague ruled on what features fell within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but made no decision on sovereignty.

“Even as they have ruled in our favor overwhelmingly, this territory continues to be international waters,” he said. “We have to prove it (ownership) in the appropriate international tribunal.”

FORCEFUL DEFENSE, US SUPPORT

However, he said the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Philippines was not in dispute and in the event of an encroachment by China, there would be a forceful defense, and support from the US military as guaranteed in a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington.

“That will be the action where we will have to make sure we will be asserting ourselves, defending ourselves, even using force if necessary,” he said.

Mr. Yasay, however, had also criticized the US in his present tenure as Mr. Duterte’s top diplomat. In a social media post late last year, titled “America has failed us,” he said in part: “The United States held on to invisible chains that reined us in towards dependency and submission as little brown brothers not capable of true independence and freedom.”

“Breaking away from the shackling dependency of the Philippines to effectively address both internal and external security threats has become imperative in putting an end to our nation’s subservience to United States’ interests,” Mr. Yasay also wrote.

RESIDENT STATUS

During the CA hearing, Mr. Yasay explained that while he indeed applied to become an American citizen, the application was denied.

“I left the Philippines in 1978 to flee the repressive martial law regime where I had sad personal experiences and went to the US with the purpose,” Mr. Yasay said in his opening statement.

“And I was granted legal permanent resident status on the basis of my going there,” he added.

Mr. Yasay also noted he was a practicing lawyer in the US at the time. “In 1987 I returned permanently to the Philippines as a returning Filipino resident of the country,” he continued.

“I immediately established my domicile and residency in Davao City where I have been exercising my right to suffrage.”

Mr. Yasay said since 1993 he was able to return and leave the US through a P1- P2 visa, to be renewed in 2020. He also acknowledged that his wife, Cecile JoaquinYasay, is a US citizen. — Reports by Reuters, interaksyon.com, and