Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has called on Filipinos to continue to assert that “right is might” in the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea by aligning with like-minded states and stand against a “bully” like China.
Del Rosario was reacting to President Duterte’s admission in his State-of-the-Nation (SONA) Address Monday that he is “inutile” and “cannot do anything” to protect the West Philippine Sea.
“We should continue to ally ourselves with countries which share our democratic values and respect for the Rule of Law to be able to stand up to a bully like China. Finally, in addressing the most critical security issue in our region, our country, along with like-minded states, should continue to assert that ‘right is might’ and that international law is the great equalizer among states,” the former DFA chief said.
Del Rosario noted that since the July 12, 2016 ruling by the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague, the Philippines – as the main beneficiary of the award – has not been realizing the gains brought by the ruling.
He, however, said “it is not too late” to stand up against China who refuses to recognize the ruling by the international tribunal.
“We must not be willing victims by acquiescing to China’s blatant violation of the Rule of Law. We must not be silent as silence encourages further aggression into our lands and seas,” said Del Rosario, who was one of the architects of the Philippine petition to nullify Beijing’s outrageous “nine-dash line” claim in the South China Sea.
Despite Duterte’s admission during the SONA, the former top diplomat asked the government to, at the very least, not stand in the way of Filipinos legitimately protecting their own lands and waters.
“It, therefore, falls on us citizens and our patriotic officials in government to protect our nation’s patrimony for the benefit of our forefathers who defended it; and for benefit of future generations of Filipinos,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros scored Duterte for being more concerned about his personal ties with China than joining the international community in denouncing China’s aggressive maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea.
Hontiveros said the President’s defeatist stance on the West Philippine Sea issue is not good for the alliance building the country should be doing in the region in order to assert one’s sovereign rights over the contested territory.
“Maritime and international law experts have repeatedly said that creating a stronger international network is the best way to put our foot down with China,” Hontiveros said.
“The international community has already rejected China’s preposterous maritime claims, but it seems that the President is more concerned about his personal ties with China,” she lamented.
“Foreign policy is often said to be the extension of a leaders’ relationships with other heads of state, so it’s becoming clear where the President’s loyalty lies,” she pointed out. (with a report from Hannah Torregoza)