Set in stone
Two areas in the South China Sea are being considered for a “joint exploration” by the Philippines and China. One is the so-called Service Contract 57 (SC 57) near Palawan and therefore not subject to Chinese dispute, while the other is Service Contract 72 (SC 72) located in Recto Bank, which is clearly within the disputed area between China and the Philippines. The areas are labeled as such because of previous plans to explore them, but these plans never pushed through.
In Service Contract 57, there is no issue because the area clearly belongs to us. Service Contract 72 is another story. In previous statements by President Duterte regarding joint exploration, he also mentioned that it entails co-ownership. This means that both the Philippines and China will own the area. Many, including myself, do not believe that China will agree to a co-ownership situation of areas which it adamantly claims. Co-ownership would also recognize China’s ownership claims. Since SC 57 is clearly within our area, why offer it up for co-ownership should there be a joint exploration of the area? According to the Constitution, only the Philippines has the right to benefit from its own exclusive economic zone, as part of its territory. So how can that coownership “thing” Duterte said even be possible?
Based on the latest survey, the United States is still trusted the most by the Filipino people, while trust in China is neutral. During the Aquino administration, the Filipino people’s trust in China reached its lowest point. But it has grown noticeably under the Duterte administration. It is not surprising that nothing bad has been heard from Duterte once China enters the conversation. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that China must be given time to prove themselves. I wonder for how long?
There is no official word from China regarding that co-ownership statement of President Duterte. We know that China’s claim to most of the South China Sea is nonnegotiable. Why would they build artificial islands and fortify them, making them accessible to military aircraft and vessels? It is also certain that Chinese companies will provide all the heavy and sophisticated equipment to survey the area; therefore it is natural for a big investor company to recoup their expenses as soon as possible. I just thought that in the agreement Duterte is pushing, the country might be at a disadvantage. Something the critics, and I’m sure some allies, of the administration do not want.
According to Professor Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, he sees this whole co-ownership thing as giving China too much, too soon. The “co-ownership” phrase elevates whatever Chinese company involved in the exploration to own SC 57, an area not even being disputed by China. Perhaps the Palace should come up with another explanation of what Duterte actually meant. As I previously said, any joint thing with China must be written in black and white, even on a stone where disputes are present, if only to make sure everyone is on the same page.