US to block moves to seize control of disputed seas

KUALA LUMPUR – The United States will oppose moves by any country to seize control of disputed areas in the South China Sea by force, the top American military commander in the Pacific said yesterday.

Adm. Samuel Locklear added that rival claimants might need to seek compromises to resolve the feud over potentially oil-rich territories.

The commander of US Pacific Command did not mention any country by name, but China’s increasingly aggressive claims to disputed islands have triggered worries about confrontations with others, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

“We will oppose the change of status quo by force by anyone,” Locklear told reporters during a visit to Malaysia.

“We need to retain the status quo until we get to a code of conduct or a solution by party nations that is peacefully accepted.”

Southeast Asian governments want a legally binding code of conduct with China to deter hostile actions and prevent fighting. But Beijing has not clearly said when it would discuss the proposal.

Locklear said the US would not take sides but added that a code of conduct that enables maritime officers “to understand the boundaries of what they can do (would be) in the best interest for a peaceful solution.”

He nevertheless said tensions were unlikely to escalate badly because the countries “understand this could be a long process, they understand restraint.”

China has sought to resolve disputes through bilateral talks.

Locklear visit

Locklear is expected to visit Manila on June 6 to 7 to discuss security matters with his Philippine counterparts.

“During his visit, Admiral Locklear will consult with defense officials in the Philippine government on a range of common security challenges,” the US embassy in Manila said without elaborating.

Locklear will meet with Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. His visit will not be open to the media.

Locklear’s visit follows his attendance at the recently concluded Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore where he met with security officials from the region.

Last week, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty with Manila, now embroiled in a territorial row with China.

Hagel made the commitment during a meeting with Gazmin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue.

The defense department has welcomed Hagel’s statement and is hopeful that the US will continue backing efforts to maintain freedom of navigation in the Asia Pacific region.

“We look forward to the continuous and more active role of the US in contributing to the freedom of navigation in the region,” defense department spokesman Peter Galvez told The STAR in a recent interview.

Tensions in the West Philippine Sea mounted last month after China deployed three ships around Ayungin Shoal, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines has protested China’s illegal deployment of vessels in its territory in violation of international law. The protest, however, fell on deaf ears as China continued to send ships and vessels around the shoal, just 105.77 nautical miles from Palawan.

Latest monitoring by Philippine authorities showed that at least three Chinese ships have remained in the area.

China’s intrusion is not limited to Ayungin Shoal as Chinese ships continue to patrol the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, a Philippineowned area located 124 nautical miles from the nearest base point in Zambales.