By Francis Allan L. Angelo
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. escalated the rhetoric against China on Monday, challenging the nation to submit its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea to international arbitration. This bold stance comes after China warned the Philippines of all “potential consequences” amid the ongoing maritime disputes.
“Kung talagang gusto nila, kung talaga siguro hindi sila natatakot na ihayag sa buong mundo ang kanilang claim, bakit hindi tayo mag-arbitrate sa ilalim ng international law para maliwanag sa lahat kung ano ang karapatan ng kahit sino? Bakit ayaw nila?” Teodoro expressed in a press conference Monday, questioning China’s reluctance to resolve the matter legally.
[If they really want … if they are not afraid to tell the world of their claim, why not go into international arbitration so it will be clear to everyone what right does one have over the matter? Why are they hesitant to do so?]
The Secretary’s comments underline a growing frustration over Beijing’s approach to territorial claims and its aggressive tactics in the contested waters.
The Philippines’ territorial waters have repeatedly been the subject of intrusions by Beijing, as noted by Teodoro.
“Papano natin tsina-challenge ang kanilang bottomline, sila nga ang pumapasok dito sa teritoryo natin eh, ano bang bottomline ‘yun, ‘yan na naman ‘yang bottomline na ‘yan walang bansa sa buong mundo ni isa ang naniniwala diyan kung hindi ito ang paggamit ng dahas upang takutin at payukuin ang Pilipinas sa kanilang ambisyon kung ano man ‘yun. ”So ‘yan ang reaksyon ko, bakit kayo nananakot?”
(How are we challenging them? It is China that is intruding into our territory, what’s the bottomline that they are talking about? No country in the world believes in their narrative. This is just their way of threatening the Philippines. That’s my reaction, why are you threatening us?)
The tensions were heightened over the weekend when the vessel Unaizah May 4 (UM4), tasked with resupplying Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, “sustained heavy damage” due to the “continued blasting of water cannons” from two China Coast Guard vessels, as reported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Despite this aggressive act, Philippine forces declared that the rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission was successful.
In response to the incident, Teodoro disclosed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has already outlined directives to address such aggression.
“Mayroon na tayong mga plano para diyan ano, so hindi tayo nagdadagdag ng utos at plano, nasa Armed Forces natin kung paanong magreact within the confines of that plan,” he said, indicating that the military has clear instructions on how to respond within the established strategies.
(We already have a plan, we will not add to that directive or plan. It’s already in the hands of the Armed Forces on how we will react within the confines of that plan.)
Teodoro also rejected claims that external influences, such as the United States, have swayed the Philippines in its stance on the territorial dispute, labeling such suggestions as a “huge insult” to the nation.
”At sinasabi din na tayo ay iniimpluwensyahan ng ibang mga bansa katulad ng Estados Unidos. Ito’y napakalaking insulto sa atin mga kababayan na kinukunan ka nga ng teritoryo sinasabi ikaw pa ay sunud-sunuran sa ibang bansa,” he said.
(Some are saying that we are influenced by the US, this is a huge insult to our countrymen as our territories are already being snatched and some are saying that we are just following what other countries will say.)
The recent event led to the Philippines summoning China’s envoy to protest “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea. Manila’s defense minister urged Beijing to take its vast sovereignty claims to international arbitration, reflecting the government’s determination to resolve the issue lawfully.
The Philippine foreign ministry accused China’s coastguard of using water cannon against a civilian boat, infringing upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and demanding the withdrawal of Chinese vessels from the area. Conversely, China’s coastguard has defended its actions, stating it took necessary measures against Philippine vessels intruding into its waters.
Amidst these claims and counterclaims, China maintains that the Philippines promised to remove a stranded warship on the Second Thomas Shoal, an assertion the Philippines denies, insisting on maintaining its military presence there.
The dispute over the South China Sea, which involves multiple countries, has been a contentious issue for decades.
China claims most of the sea, but the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia also have overlapping claims in the area.
The Second Thomas Shoal, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, renamed the West Philippine Sea, has been a flashpoint in the dispute.
China’s refusal to recognize the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which invalidated its expansive claims under international law, further complicates the situation.
The heightened tensions and recent events underscore the ongoing challenges in the South China Sea.
As the Philippine government convenes its security chiefs to deliberate on the way forward, international support has poured in, with statements backing the Philippines from the United States, Japan, and several European countries.
Secretary Teodoro’s call for arbitration under international law signifies a pivotal moment in the South China Sea dispute, asserting the Philippines’ commitment to a rules-based order while navigating the complex geopolitical waters of the region.
