DUTERTE TO ASEAN: REFRAIN FROM ESCALATING TENSION

President Duterte has urged all parties involved in the South China Sea maritime dispute to “refrain from escalating tension” and abide by international laws.

The President made the call as he took note of “alarming incidents” in the contested waters, even as the region struggled with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Even as our region struggles to contain COVID-19, alarming incidents in the South China Sea occurred,” he said during the virtual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

“We call on parties to refrain from escalating tensions and abide by responsibilities under international law, notably the 1982 UNCLOS. We urge all parties to adhere to the rule of law and to their commitments to international instruments, including the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” he said.

Earlier, the Philippines filed two diplomatic protests over China’s alleged pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship, and the establishment of two administrative units in the

Philippine territory.

China is claiming the entirety of the South China Sea, which is also being claimed in part by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. The nations are negotiating for a Code of Conduct aimed at reducing possible conflict.

China’s nine-dash-claim has been rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in a 2016 ruling that favored Manila.

Mr. Duterte, who is country coordinator for Asean-china dialogue relations, admitted that the Asean is facing “real constraints in dealing with our deliverables.”