As Chinese vessels continue to be monitored in Philippine waters, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that President Duterte would continue to fight for the rights of the country in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to the final day of his term.
“Alam niyo si Pangulo, 'yung independent foreign policy niya eh friendly po ‘yan si Pangulo sa lahat, enemies to none (You know, the President’s independent policy is friendly to all, enemies to none) ,” said Go in a recent interview after visiting fire victims in Maharlika, Taguig
“Pero siyempre ipinaglalaban niya po always ‘yung karapatan natin. Kita mo nagagalit 'yan kapag inaapi na ang ating bansa (But of course he will always fight for our rights. As you can see he is angry if our country is being belittled),” he assured.
On March 2, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that a Chinese vessel approached BRP Malabrigo, which was conducting a maritime patrol operation near Bajo de Masinloc.
The incident was described as a “close distance maneuvering” that limited the Filipino vessel’s maneuvering room. This was a “clear” violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, according to the PCG.
The Philippines claims maritime territory over the WPS, including Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, based on a United Nations arbitration court ruling in 2016.
China claimed the Scarborough Shoal is part of its historical claim over most parts of the South China which the same UN ruling rejected.
Like the WPS, Senator Francis Tolentino also said that the country should patrol Philippine Rise, also called Benham Rise, off Aurora province.
Tolentino said Philippine Rise is likely to experience like what is happening at WPS.
He thus strongly suggested the installation of a forward operating base in Casiguran, Aurora.
The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) described the Philippine Rise as a ‘’tuna highway.’’
On March 14, the Department of Foreign Affairs also summoned the Chinese ambassador to the country to explain the “illegal intrusion and lingering presence” of a Chinese navy ship detected off the Cuyo Group of Islands near Palawan, and Apo island off Mindoro from January 29 to February 1.
Meanwhile, Go has urged restraint and expressed hope that the claimant countries will resolve the dispute through diplomatic means.
He, however, stressed the need for the country to promote its rights in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that covers 2,263,816 square kilometers.
“So kung puwede naman pong pag-usapan... diplomatikong pamamaraan, pag-usapan na lang po natin ito (If this can be resolved through diplomatic means, then let us talk),” said Go.
“Pero importante pa rin ang ating... kung ano ang atin, atin po 'yon, atin talaga ‘yon. Ipinaglalaban natin dapat ‘yan (However, it is still important...what is ours, its ours and really ours. We should fight for it),” he added.
When asked if Duterte has given any explicit instructions to deal with the situation, Go replied that the President would meet with his Cabinet to discuss it, assuring the Filipino people that Duterte puts premium on matters that are crucial to the country’s national interest.
“Eh kapag interes na po ng Pilipino ... ‘yung national interest, ay binibigyan po kaagad ni Pangulong Duterte ng halaga (If it is about the interest of the Filipinos... that concerns national interest, President Duterte immediately gives importance to it),” he assured.
The Philippine Rise is an underwater plateau east of Aurora province that is believed to be rich in natural gas and heavy metals. It is 13 million hectares in area, much bigger than the entire Luzon.
During a Senate hearing in the second week of March, the National Security Council (NSC) reported incursions by Chinese vessels.
In 2018, an expert in international maritime laws noted that China has named five undersea features of Philippine Rise.