THE Philippines should cancel oil exploration deals and ongoing negotiations with China in response to its recent harassment of Filipino ships in the West Philippine Sea, a maritime law expert said Wednesday.
In a TV interview, Prof. Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea of the UP Law Center, said if China tries to prevent the Philippines from getting another service contract in Reed Bank next year, it should no longer deal with them when it comes to oil exploration.
He said while this might affect the economy, it is a viable option against further abuse and disrespect that puts Filipino lives in danger.
The country, he added, is in a position to retaliate as China is “out of line.”
“If we do that, we can show that first, to our countrymen, we can take action and second, in a way China will have a problem because they are expecting these contracts to make profits from us. So if we deny them that, it’s okay,” he said in Filipino.
Meanwhile, Japan reiterated its serious concern over China’s actions in the South China Sea, including recent dangerous water cannon incidents that caused a collision between Chinese and Filipino ships, saying it increases regional tensions.
Citing the statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Oct. 23, Japan said it believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community including Japan.
“Thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea,” Tokyo said, in a statement released by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines on Wednesday.
“As stated in the Japan-Philippine Joint Statement Open a New Window in February 2023, the Government of Japan concurs with the Philippines’ long-standing objections to unlawful maritime claims, militarization, coercive activities and threat or use of force in the South China Sea,” the statement said.
Batongbacal also said the government should begin building infrastructures in the areas it occupies in response to Chinese reclamation activities and development of installations at Mischief Reef, a breach of earlier agreements between both countries to halt construction.
“If China has been improving their facilities, we ourselves should not be afraid to improve our own facilities in the islands that we occupy.
They cannot question the Philippines regarding our commitment not to undertake new construction while they continue to build and enlarge their own structures,” he said.
While he said China’s acts were hostile and dangerous, the Philippines should de-escalate the situation.
On Tuesday, the Indian embassy in Manila announced that India and the Philippines are conducting a maritime partnership exercise (MPX) in the West Philippine Sea to boost cooperation.
The Indian Navy conducts MPX with friendly foreign navy units to enhance interoperability and share best practices, the embassy said.
It said India’s visiting warship, the INS Kadmatt, would hold the MPX with BRP Ramon Alcaraz on Dec. 13, which it hoped would also promote “common approaches for a rules-based order” in the area.
In a reception on Tuesday night, Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran said contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region is a “key priority” for India.
India also hopes to see stronger engagements with the Philippines, specifically in the areas of economic cooperation and national security.
In other developments:
* The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the third milestone payment worth P5.67 billion for the Philippine Navy’s acquisition of the Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile system. BrahMos has been selected for the Navy’s shore-based anti-ship missile system and is expected to address the country’s military’s weaknesses and vulnerability in sea control, anti-access/area-denial, and coastal and island defense operations.
* Former Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday urged the government to seek help from the international tribunal to lay the ground rules on fishing for Filipino, Chinese, and Vietnamese fishermen in Scarborough Shoal. In a TV interview, Carpio said the Philippines must first propose setting the ground rules with China and Vietnam to cover fishing in the Scarborough Shoal, since the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the shoal is common fishing ground for the three countries.
* Rep. Wibert Lee of AGRI party-list group, said the government must prioritize the protection of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as this directly affects the Philippines’ food security.The lives and livelihood of the country’s fishermen depend on the government’s ability to protect the WPS, he said.
* The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Fleet and Japan Coast Guard-Mobile Cooperation Team (JCG-MCT) conducted a comprehensive training on various Coast Guard operations from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1. The Coast Guard Fleet said the opportunity allowed the PCG and JCG to build a stronger bond in maintaining the highest level of maritime safety. The training participants were introduced to the concept of towing and water canon operations.
* PCG personnel of the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) conducted an actual flight deck training operation at the Manila Bay Anchorage Area on Dec. 7. The Coast Guard Fleet said the training aimed to develop Coast Guard’s proficiency in aircraft handling, aircraft landing and takeoff procedures, and emergency response protocols.
