PH to assert sovereignty over disputed sea; provocative strategy not an option

The government is determined to assert the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea but is not keen on taking the “aggressive and provocative” strategy to settle the conflict with China.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella issued the statement a few hours before President Duterte was to meet visiting China Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin in Malacañang.

The meeting between the President and the Chinese diplomat comes on the heels of the government’s concerns over Beijing’s installation of weapons on its man-made islands in the disputed water.

“We have issued a note verbale to China regarding the buildup of weapon systems in man-made islands in the South China Sea. Aggressive and provocative diplomacy will bring us nowhere so we dealt with the issue formally,” Abella said.

“The Philippines will continue to assert its sovereignty over disputed territory in the South China Sea while remaining consistent with the ef-

forts of President Duterte to revitalize longstanding ties with China,” he said.

Abella said the Philippines will continue to “staunchly support all efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.”

China has reportedly installed antiaircraft and anti-missile systems on the artificial lands created in the disputed South China Sea last year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs recently sent the note verbale to the Chinese embassy after getting confirmation about the weapons buildup on the seven manmade islands. One of the islands is located within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said the diplomatic communication was issued after the report came out last month.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies report said anti-aircraft guns and weapons systems designed to guard against missile attacks appear to have been placed on all seven of China’s newly created islands.

Yasay told CNN Philippines that Manila had responded, but did so quietly.

“We have taken action on that, we have issued a note verbale,” he said, referring to a diplomatic communication that is issued in the third person and is not signed. It is considered less formal than a letter of protest.

He did not say when it was issued, adding it was a matter that he did not want to discuss.

“I just want to assure the Filipino people that when we take action at engaging China in this dispute, we do not want to take such aggressive, provocative action that will not solve the problem,” he said. “We cannot engage China in a war.”

Nevertheless, he said, “when there are reports about the build-up of weapon systems in the area, during our watch we made sure that the interests and rights of the Philippines are properly protected.”

‘Very troubling’

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday said China’s militarization of manmade islands in the disputed water is very troubling.

Lorenzana made the remark as the Philippines filed a low-key diplomatic protest against China over the installation of anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons on the manmade islands.

He said that despite the warming relationship with China, government would be remiss in its duty to protect the country’s interest if it will not file a diplomatic protest.

“The actions of China in militarizing those disputed features are very troubling. They do not square with the Chinese government’s rhetoric that its purpose is peaceful and friendly,” Lorenzana said in a statement.

China had said the artificial islands are intended to boost maritime safety in the region while downplaying their military utility.

“Notwithstanding the warming of relations between our countries, the Philippine Government would be remiss in its duty to protect its national interest if it does not protest, question and seek clarification from China on the presence of weapons in the Spratlys, especially so that some of those reclaimed islands are within the Philippine EEZ according to UNCLOS which China is a signatory and affirmed by the PCA (Permanent Court of Arbitration) ruling of July 12, 2016,” he added.

Malacañang, meantime, tried to downplay the President’s meeting with Liu, saying it was just a courtesy call.

“His request for an audience with the President is simply a courtesy call and exchange of pleasantries. It cannot involve discussions of substantive issues that will undermine the purpose and process of our political consultations,” Abella said, quoting Yasay.

Abella said Liu’s visit to Manila was part of “political consultations” with Yasay “to discuss various issues related to our bilateral engagements with China.”

Liu is considered the most highprofile Chinese official to visit the country since Duterte forged friendlier ties with China despite an ongoing territorial dispute.