Noy happy with Asean support for Phl stand on sea row

President Aquino is satisfied with the support of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the country’s position on the West Philippine Sea and understands the “limitations” of each member-country in dealing with the issue.

“We have broadened our view as to what solutions are appropriate for given problems. So we recognize everybody has their limitations and their capacities. So, if we deal on areas where we can cooperate, then that enhances cooperation,” the President said Tuesday at an annual presidential forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

“When we recognize that there are certain areas (where) there are limitations as to co- operation, the depth of coop- eration available on particular issues, if we recognize all of these, then it leads to a really harmonious relationship amongst all,” Aquino said.

China’s encroachment on the territorial waters of neighboring countries, including the Philippines, as well as its massive island building activities have raised tensions in the region.

With its weak military, the Philippines turned to the international court of arbitration for help in challenging Beijing’s incredible maritime claim.

Aquino has also confirmed his attendance to the ASEAN leaders’ and other summits in Kuala Lumpur next month, to be attended by the grouping’s dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, Russia and India.

He will be flying to Kuala Lumpur right after hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit on Nov. 18 to 19.

The President said all ASEAN member- countries have demonstrated their being “extremely friendly” to the Philippines, especially in times of disasters.

“Perhaps it has been a learning experience also that we have gotten to know all of our partners even that much more intimately. We recognize that perhaps accepted standard solutions to perceived problems might really need a local or indigenous character if it is to take hold in these countries,” he said.

The President said overall, he was satisfied with the country’s relationship with ASEAN.

“It is not only the Philippines vis- à- vis ASEAN, but also ASEAN vis-à-vis the Philippines that, I think, has experienced a deeper sense of community, a growth in the relationship,” he said.

“You know, when we started out, we felt like ‘ okay, you’re here, you’re a member.’ But now there is, when we say brother-nations or sister- nations, there really is that sense that there is a commonality of goals and also a commonality of problems that confront us,” Aquino said.

The West Philippine Sea and South China Sea are also being claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Stronger navy

Meanwhile in Virac, Catanduanes, Sen. Grace Poe said the Philippines should be firm in asserting its position on the West Philippine Sea issue with China, but should not disregard the other facets of its relationship with the Asian giant.

“We must also continue and support this move because China is one of the signatories to UNCLOS and China must understand that we are fighting for our rights in the arbitration case,” Poe, who is running for president in 2016, said referring to the arbitration case filed by Manila against Beijing.

“We have no bilateral talks with China on the issue of the West Philippine Sea but when it comes to our other relations with China we should continue this,” she said.

“We have economic ties with them and we must continue this,” she added.

“But we should not give away our rights on the West Philippine Sea,” she emphasized.

To demonstrate the country’s resolve to guard and defend its maritime borders, the Coast Guard and the navy should be strengthened, she said.

“Even if we are not militarily strong than China we must strengthen our Navy, strengthen the joint exercises with the allied countries which can help us defend our territory,” she pointed out.

China was the Philippines’ largest source of imports in 2014 with shipments amounting to $9.57 billion.

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