It’s a valid question begging for a clear answer amid the already tense situation in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China over maritime rights.
And who else has been candid enough to call a spade a spade and call out the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for its deafening silence on what is going on in the WPS?
It’s none other than Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea.
In recent remarks before Australian media, Tarriela did not hold back in his criticism of the ASEAN as a bloc for being non-committal on the simmering tension in the West Philippine Sea between Manila and Beijing.
What he told Australian journalists is that the silence of ASEAN member-nations over Beijing’s “illegal actions” in the South China Sea is detrimental to peace in the region. He expressed deep disappointment over the lack of support from Manila’s neighbors in the face of the hostile behavior shown by Chinese forces.
“This situation serves as a reminder of how the international community has turned a blind eye, allowing China to illegally occupy maritime features and carry out reclamation activities for military purposes,” he said.
And more: “Allowing China to blatantly disregard the established rules-based order threatens the very foundation that we all depend on.”
This, he warned, could “lead us back to a time when might makes right, undermining the global structures that keep human greed, savagery, and barbarism in check.”
He explained that “while it is understandable that some Southeast Asian nations prioritize their national interest, particularly economic engagement with China, over exposing the illegal actions of Beijing, this approach unfortunately contributes to China’s boldness in defying international law.” The South China Sea issue, he added, was not just a fight for Philippine sovereignty but “a fight for everyone.”
Further on, Tarriela pointed out that China, despite being signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, had recklessly disregarded its provisions to invoke its “illegal and fictitious” 10-dash-line maritime claim.
China’s disregard of international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling, he emphasized, was “extremely troubling” as the Asian superpower had become “unreserved in using its economic and military power to advance its unlawful actions in the South China Sea.”
Concluding his remarks, the Coast Guard official did not mince words and said China “excels in rhetoric but fails to turn promises into action…Absolutely, it is jeopardizing the integrity of the rules-based international order and undermining regional peace and stability.”
Strong words, indeed, but perhaps it’s what Beijing needs to hear for it to realize that its gunboat diplomacy in the West Philippine Sea is totally unacceptable and betrays Big Power arrogance and hubris.
