Philippines-China relations

Del Rosario lauds summoning of Chinese envoy over ships in West PH Sea

Sofia Tomacruz

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Del Rosario lauds summoning of Chinese envoy over ships in West PH Sea

PHILIPPINES-CHINA TENSIONS. Former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario.

File photo by Angie de Silva/Rappler

'It is but right that our leaders do whatever is necessary to address this open and continuing insult to Filipinos,' says former DFA chief Albert del Rosario

Former Philippine foreign secretary Albert del Rosario praised the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for summoning Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian over the “illegal lingering presence” of Beijing’s vessels in the West Philippine Sea. 

In calling on Huang, Del Rosario said, the DFA acted on its constitutional duty to protect the Philippines’ “national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.”

“This is truly the ‘independent foreign policy’ contemplated by our Constitution, which is to protect our national heritage in the West Philippine Sea,” Del Rosario said on Tuesday, April 13.

The DFA earlier said it summoned Huang on Monday, April 12, after Chinese fishing ships remained in Julian Felipe Reef and other maritime areas even after weeks of repeated calls to immediately withdraw.

Huang, the DFA said, was reminded that Julian Felipe Reef is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, where Filipinos enjoy sovereign rights over resources. He was told that the continuing presence of Chinese vessels around the reef is a “source of regional tension.”

The Philippines also raised the landmark 2016 Hague ruling that struck down China’s historical claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Del Rosario led the Philippines in filing its historic case against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.

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Philippines summons Chinese envoy over lingering ships in West PH Sea

Philippines summons Chinese envoy over lingering ships in West PH Sea
Violating Philippine laws

So long as Chinese vessels remain in Julian Felipe Reef, Del Rosario pointed out, they would be violating Philippine laws, including Republic Act No. 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

The law states “it shall be unlawful for any foreign person, corporation or entity to fish or operate any fishing vessel in Philippine waters.”

“The lingering Chinese presence in Julian Felipe Reef is an open and continuing violation of our laws. It is but right that our leaders do whatever is necessary to address this open and continuing insult to Filipinos,” Del Rosario said. 

Huang’s summoning comes as tensions in the West Philippine Sea flare up amid a renewed push by the Philippines to publicly challenge China’s aggressive behavior in the maritime area. 

Since late March, Philippine diplomatic and defense officials have demanded that China “immediately withdraw” its ships from the area, after over 200 vessels believed to be manned by Beijing’s maritime militia were first spotted massed in Julian Felipe Reef. There were also ships scattered around other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group.

On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea informed him only 9 Chinese ships were left.

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World powers push back vs China as ships linger in West PH Sea

World powers push back vs China as ships linger in West PH Sea

China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, has prompted international outcry, with the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and European Union expressing concern.

In recent weeks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated in separate calls with Locsin, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr that the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty covers the South China Sea.

China, meanwhile, insisted vessels were still in the area seeking shelter from “rough” seas. It called on the Philippines to “stop wanton hype-up, and avoid casting negative influence on bilateral relations and the overall peace and stability in the South China Sea.” – Rappler.com

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Sofia Tomacruz

Sofia Tomacruz covers defense and foreign affairs. Follow her on Twitter via @sofiatomacruz.