Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (PNA file `photo by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo assured that China was committed to honoring the agreement with the Philippines on resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The assurance was made during his bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Vientiane, Laos on Friday night on the sidelines of the 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
“We did agree that we would honor the provisional agreement in a clear and sincere effort to defuse tensions and try and prevent any incidents, of course, from leading to further tension in our relationship," Manalo was quoted as saying by Nikkei Asia.
Manalo confirmed that both he and Wang “acknowledged that the provisional agreement will not prejudice” Manila and Beijing’s respective positions on the South China Sea.
On Saturday, the Philippines conducted a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal without “untoward incidents,” the first of its kind since Beijing and Manila agreed on a provisional arrangement.
The same understanding, formalized through an exchange of notes, is a set of “principles and approaches” that the two states will observe during the Philippines' resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said.
There were differing descriptions of the understanding, the specifics of which have yet to be released by either the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the DFA.
Upon its announcement, the Chinese Ministry said it was reached on the condition that the Philippines would “inform China in advance and after on-site verification” is conducted -- a claim the DFA said was “inaccurate.”
In its July 27 resupply mission, the DFA confirmed there had been “no prior notification” nor “onsite inspection” made.
“No to prior notification and no to on-site inspection. We have previously clarified that in our statement,” DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza told reporters.
“The RORE (resupply and reprovisioning) mission reached Sierra Madre this morning and left at 13.26 hrs,” she added.
Daza said there were China Coast Guard vessels in the vicinity during the operation but were “at a reasonable distance with no risk of collision.”
Peaceful approach
The DFA earlier said this arrangement, a result of the 9th Philippine-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, was a testament to the Marcos administration’s commitment to a peaceful approach to defending the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines would not yield nor waver in asserting its rights “in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done.”
“Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes,” the chief executive said.
“We continuously try to find ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas with our counterparts, without compromising our position and our principles. I know that our neighbors too are doing their very best to make this work,” he added.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Friday, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Department of Economics Associate Professor and Asian Affairs expert Emy Ruth Gianan said Marcos’ SONA has conveyed a “very strong message” when it comes to the issue of the West Philippine Sea.
“What’s good about his speech is that he’s not really naming or dropping names. One of the strengths of his speech was kung nasaan tayo nakatindig at malinaw kung ano ‘yong stance natin (stating where we stand and making clear of it),” she said.
“We’re glad that he also highlighted ano ‘yong napanalunan natin sa arbitration trial, we’re really highlighting kung ano talaga ang atin (what we won in the arbitraion trial, we're really highlighting what is ours),” she added.
As a way forward, Gianan said she wants to see the enactment of the Philippine Maritime Zones Bill, which she said would “strengthen” the country’s position in the area.
“(By) supporting that kind of legislation, we’re not just cognizant of our mandate but we’re also respecting or upholding what is in the international law,” she said.
On top of passing the law, Gianan also hopes to see fishermen getting the full benefit of the West Philippine Sea soon.
“The rhetoric in itself is very much helpful it already appeases at least the public that we are doing something, but it has to be followed up by action,” she said.
“Iyong batas isa iyon, ikalawa is ‘yong makita natin na natutulungan ‘yung mismong fisherfolk natin, including increased presence, not just of the military but also government presence para makita nila na nandoon ‘yung suporta (The first step is through that law, the second is to show that we are helping the fisherfolk, including having increased presence not just of the military but also governemnt to show that they are there to support),” she added.
Last February, the government started deploying the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships to Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, as part of government efforts to ensure the rights and safety of Filipino fisherfolk there.
The Maritime Zones bill, which defines the extent of Philippine waters, has also been approved by a bicameral conference committee last week and is now awaiting Marcos' signature. (PNA)
