Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri on Thursday, August 31 vowed to expedite the passage into law of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act in a bid to quell any attempts by China to expand and include the country's maritime territories as part of its own.
The “standard map” which was published by Beijing’s state-owned newspaper, Global Times, lays claim to a large part of the South China Sea, including the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. The “map” also emphasized Taiwan as well as India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin region as part of China’s territory. (Photo courtesy of O/S Sen. Francis Tolentino)
Zubiri made the promise following China's release of its latest standard map showing a 10-dash line that includes contested areas in the West Philippine Sea as part of China's domain.
"Yes, that (maritime zones bill) is a priority of the Senate. I will commit to you (that we will pass it) by the end of the year, by December. We will deliberate it. Even during the budget deliberations we will pass the maritime zones act," Zubiri said in a press conference at the Senate.
Nevertheless, the Senate leader said he is confident China's 2023 standard map will "solidify support" for the arbitral ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that officially quashed China's 9-dash line.
Because aside from the Philippines, he also noted that other countries are also affected by China's 10-dash line map: India, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
"So, I think it will galvanize support from other countries. More countries will support and stand with the Philippines to condemn and to appeal to China not to follow that ridiculous 10-dash line. It violates the sovereignty, not only of the Philippines now, but of several other countries all around Asia," Zubiri said.
"We will not be alone this time. I think India has filed a formal protest, Indonesia and Malaysia has also filed a protest and Vietnam. And I think that will speed up the process of a code of conduct in the South China Sea," the Senate leader added.
"With this new 10-dash line map of China, I have a feeling the crafting of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea will move faster this time," he reiterated.
Senate deputy minority leader Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, slammed China for being "delusional."
“China is delusional. Wala na sa huwisyo itong Tsina. Kung ano-ano nalang ang ginagawa para mang-angkin ng mga teritoryong hindi naman sa kanya (China is no longer thinking straight. They are doing just about anything just to claim territories that are not theirs),” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“This ‘map’ is Beijing’s desperate attempt to assert its lies and propaganda,” the opposition senator added.
The said map was released by Beijing’s state-owned newspaper, Global Times, and lays claim to a large part of the South China Sea, including the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the WPS.
The 10-dash-line also included Taiwan as well as India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin region as part of China’s domain.
“India has already lodged a protest against China for issuing this ridiculous map. Umaasa ako na ang ating Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ay maghahain din ng diplomatikong protesta laban dito (I hope our DFA will also file a diplomatic protest against this),” she said.
The DFA should also coordinate with the National Resource and Mapping Authority (NAMRIA) to update a map that clearl shows the Philippines’ EEZ, continental shelves and territorial seas in the WPS, Hontiveros said.
“Kung mas maraming mga bansa ang tumutol sa mapang ito, mas maitutuwid natin ang kasinungalingan ng Tsina (If more countries oppose this map, we can correct the lies fabricated by China),” the senator said.
Sen. Francis Tolentino also expressed his alarm over this latest development, noting how China has become more and more brazen as years pass by.
“The total disregard of China should not be condoned nor tolerated by the international community,” Tolentino said also in a press briefing at the Senate.
Tolentino, who will head the new Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones vows to fast track the passage of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
"It would be bloody, but I think we need to focus on this now," he said.
"Let's also execute the planned joint patrol with Japan-US-Australia and Philippines," he further suggested to the government.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, likewise, criticized China’s latest move: “From 9 dash line to 10 dash line? Ano sila hilo (Are they okay)? China is really delusional!”
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, for her part, reminded that China remains a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and thus, believes that the Philippines’ argument against Beijing will prevail.
“These claims remain to be claims. We can theoretically claim the rest of the South China Sea going back as far as the first hominids whose bones were discovered in this country,” Legarda said.
“What I want to focus on are actions. We cannot let any actions they take against our fishermen, troops, our supply boats and our people go unquestioned. We have filed diplomatic protest after diplomatic protest indicating our disagreement,” she pointed out.
“In international law, we have the support of many nations and we will continue to prevail,” she reiterated.
For his part, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Filipinos should stop being affected by China’s issuances or statements.
“They can issue however many maps they want to issue. It does not affect us nor does it impinge on the Arbitral Ruling in our favor. Any unilateral declaration by a State has no weight nor standing in international law,” Escudero said.
“We should stop being affected by China’s issuances or statements. Let us not allow China to dictate the tempo by simply being reactionary. We should do what we think is right and in accordance with our national interest,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III agreed with Escudero ad pointed out that the government is not “under any obligation to recognize the territorial claims of other countries.”
“It is important to concentrate on our own position: on the extent of our territorial claims as well as maritime zones,” Pimentel said.