Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, May 12 has advocated for a peaceful approach to stability in the South China Sea, saying it is necessary to come up with a tangible solution to address the growing tensions in the disputed maritime area.
Hontiveros met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at her residence in Taipei City as part of her efforts to lead legislative proposals that seek to promote peace in the region.
The senator’s visit is also part of the legislative roadmap she will recommend in the Senate, the foreign policy body of the Philippine legislature, to strengthen security, economic, and labor relations in the region amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the entire South China Sea.
“Like President Tsai, I would like a peaceful approach to the South China Sea question. I will work on taking tangible steps in the Philippine legislature to ensure that we successfully discuss and conduct diplomatic, legal, and respectful negotiations with all States concerned to advance peace and stability in the entire South China Sea,” Hontiveros said in her opening statement.
While in Taiwan, the lawmaker particularly checked on the status of all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were recently threatened by the Chinese Ambassador’s dangerous statements.
“I cannot help but raise an urgent issue that looms large over the Philippines – the external threat posed by China in our territories, a similar dilemma Taiwan also faces,” Hontiveros said.
In their tete-a-tete, she shared that China’s intimidation, threats, and harassment are a daily occurrence that Filipino fisherfolk and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel experience.
She also narrated how the tensions have deprived Filipino fisherfolk of their livelihood, especially since Chinese vessels have constantly driven them away, and at times even confiscating their bountiful catch.
Nevertheless, Hontiveros said the Philippines will not meddle with the issue of Taiwanese independence, underscoring that the Taiwanese people should have the basic human right to self-determination.
“While we in the Philippines will never interfere with the issue of your independence, I will always support nations who err on the side of democracy,” the senator told the Taiwanese leader.
“We know that democracy is a powerful vaccine against armed conflict, as it requires fostering peaceful relations among citizens. When carried into the realm of foreign policy, this will result in peaceful international relations not only among our nations, but also across the world,” she also said.
“Peace is necessary for the safety and security of all our citizens. Peace is essential for our economies to survive and thrive. Peace is our only option. With the continued and strengthened ties between the Philippines and Taiwan, I trust that true and lasting peace will reign,” Hontiveros reiterated.
Hontiveros also recently met with Taiwan Foreign Minister Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu in Taipei City, to reaffirm her commitment to a peaceful resolution in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.
“Unlike China, who has been employing tactics that employ force short of war, we can genuinely and diplomatically engage with Taiwan in order to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea,” she said.
According to Hontiveros, Taiwan has been a good and responsible friend to the Philippines, “and in the face of a common bully, friends tend to stick with each other.”
“As a member of the Senate, the treaty-making body of our legislature, I will continually work with nations such as Taiwan, with whom we share the same values of freedom and democracy, to uphold and maintain the relative peace our region has so far enjoyed,” she added.
During their meeting, the senator and the Taiwan foreign minister also agreed that international relations among various democratic nations should be strengthened in order to resist China’s aggressive tactics.
“While the Philippines does not yet have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, constant cooperation is needed as both countries confront similar challenges, from cybersecurity to climate change,” Hontiveros stressed.
“It is also in the interest of our country to deepen people to people exchanges with Taiwan, whether through tourism or overseas employment,” she said.