“It is perhaps timely to remind everyone how China misled the international community by saying the structures they were putting up in the WPS in the early 2000 were shelters for fishermen”
The country and China finally did what both should have done long time ago: sit down and talk.
Both have now apparently come out with a provisional agreement on how to resupply our troops on board the dilapidated RPS Sierra Madre now rusting in the Ayungin Shoal.
One would think that with the agreement, the tension in the WPS would be going down a few decibels but might not be so because a lot of things still must be ironed out.
Nonetheless, the initial talk is a positive start.
We still do not know the full details of the agreement but the announcement from our NSC which said all future resupply missions to the Sierra Madre will remain exclusively a Filipino affair.
That was ominous as shown by subsequent developments.
Part of the problem is China’s propensity of reneging on its own statements like the time when China’s President assured former President Duterte that Filipino fishermen can freely fish in the area but subsequently could not.
Nevertheless, this new agreement is a good sign both countries are at least willing to find ways to thaw tensions on the WPS which would bode well for the region.
Before anything could even start, however, there are already disagreements on the agreement.
It looks like the details are being interpreted differently by both sides.
China’s Foreign Ministry is saying the Philippines agreed to inform or seek approval from Chinese authorities before any resupply mission is undertaken.
The Foreign Affairs Department of the Philippines on the other hand denied that was part of the agreement.
So, where do we go from here?
Since both parties are now in a talking mood, the two should sit down again and spell out the specific details of any agreement to avoid confusion.
Clearly, the two interpretations are diametrically opposed.
If the Philippines agreed to China’s interpretation, it’s game over for the Philippines because it will be tantamount to agreeing to China’s claim.
It is surprising that after both sides announced some form of provisional agreement, both sides also immediately issued contrasting interpretations on what was agreed upon.
This can only show that the talks, if any, must not have been much of a talk because it failed to tackle the most important issues.
Is there still a way forward?
I would think so if both sides really want to lower the tension.
For us, it is obvious we have to continue resupplying our troops in the RPS Sierra Madre.
China, if it has its own way, would tow away the rusting Philippine Navy ship as advocated by some hardliners in China.
Problem as we all know is China does not play by the rules but only on its own rules unsupported by any convention.
That is actually the crux of the matter and it is perhaps timely to remind everyone how China misled the international community by saying the structures they were putting up in the WPS in the early 2000 were shelters for fishermen.
Those shelters are now militarized artificial islands and part of the defensive perimeter of China in the South China Sea.
We did not have the foresight to put up more permanent structures there beside a ship. We should also have thought of repairing the RPS Sierra Madre much earlier.
Currently, China is clearly losing in the media front but it is winning in its efforts to enforce its so-called inviolable historical right on about ninety per cent of the SCS even if it has no basis in international law.
It has after all the might to do it which limits our options.
Perhaps, the country should follow the suggestion of former Justice Antonio Carpio and try to put up a truly civilian facility like a light house that could also shelter fishermen in distress.
It is worthy to note that in the President’s SONA speech last Monday, the WPS issue received the most applause and a standing ovation.
But in the end, maintaining peace and stability is the most important and hopefully both sides can sit down again to settle differences peacefully and diplomatically.
