If we can discuss with our neighbor Vietnam overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, perhaps we can also do the same with China?
Maybe. Or maybe not at all, if Beijing will continue to insist on a mythical ‘ten-dash line’ that supposedly gives it near-total ownership of the vital sealane.
In the case of our bilateral ties with Vietnam, we remain on friendly terms despite our competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.
On June 14, the Philippines filed a submission before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf asking the body to establish the Philippine Extended Continental Shelf in the West Philippine Sea, specifically the western Palawan region, beyond the current 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles).
Our claim stands on solid ground.
Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states like the Philippines are entitled to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf, comprising the seabed and the subsoil of submarine areas, beyond its 370-km exclusive economic zone but not exceeding 648 km (350 nm).
However, Vietnam has sent a note verbale to the Secretary General of the United Nations stating its position regarding the Philippine submission last month.
In doing so, Hanoi once again affirmed its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law.
It said it “resolutely rejects” and “cannot accept” the Philippines’ ECS claim, citing overlap with Vietnam’s 370-km continental shelf, which violated its “inherent sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”
But even if we have differences on this issue, what’s important is that Hanoi reiterated it is still open to discussion with the Philippines in accordance with UNCLOS.
It requested the ECS commission to “refrain from considering” the Philippines’ submission “until all the relevant issues have been resolved by Vietnam and the Philippines.”
Despite our contrasting claims, we have expressed willingness to come to the negotiating table to iron out differences.
According to the DFA, the Philippines is “ready to engage” with Hanoi on “possible ways forward that would help achieve a mutually beneficial solution to South China Sea issues, in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.”
As expected, China’s Foreign Ministry has opposed the submissions of the Philippines and Vietnam because it says these “infringe on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests” and violated international law, including the UN Charter and UNCLOS.
Moreover, China was committed to handling maritime conflicts through “dialogue and consultation.”
If dialogue and consultation are what Beijing wants, how come it is using brute force and intimidation of our fisherfolk, Coast Guard and Philippine Navy in our own Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea?
