spot_img
27.4 C
Philippines
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Enrile favors negotiation on disputed West PH Sea

- Advertisement -

With former Philippines government officials lodging a complaint in the International Criminal Court against Chinese President Xi Jinping for activities in the disputed South China Sea, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he recognized the Philippines’ right to the area.

But he said he favored negotiation with China, citing the Philippines lacked the capacity to exploit the West Philippine Sea or enter into a war with the latter. 

 “We have a right that is given, not only given by a convention [and] agreed upon by the international community through the [United Nations], but also pronounced by an international arbitral body,” said the four-term Senator, who is vying for a fifth term in the Senate in the upcoming mid-term elections.

 “But having that right, does that vest in you the capacity to exploit your right because somebody is claiming it too?” Enrile said in a statement.

 Under present circumstances, the former senator believes the Philippines might either enter into negotiation or conflict with China.

- Advertisement -

 “In the game of nations, there are only two options that are available to us. Either we raise an army to match our competitor over that claim or we approach it through discussion, talking, negotiation,” he explained.

He added: “If we opt to fight China, we must have the money to raise an army, if at all. And even if we can raise that money, are we willing to sacrifice the blood and lives of our young people to fight a war that we may not be able to win? And even if we win, could it cause us ruin?”

 However, Enrile pointed out that China acknowledged the Philippines’ privilege over the disputed area.

 “On the other hand, if China wants to talk to us, and I think they’re willing to talk to us, which to me is an evidence of the fact that they recognize our right over the area, why don’t we talk to them and negotiate the problem?” he said. 

 The former Senate President, who also previously served as Finance secretary and then Minister of National Defense, also cited that the Philippines did not have the money “to explore the presence of hydrocarbon fuel in that area or mineral resources.”

“Even if we have [those resources] there, if we cannot exploit it, what good is that deposit there? Apart from that, we can take advantage of the market of China,” Enrile said.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles