FINDING ANSWERS

Not only is it deemed righteous indignation; it’s morally justified, highly principled, and a reflection of the honorableness of our Senators.

In unanimously adopting Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 718 last week, the esteemed men and women of the Philippine Senate undoubtedly displayed a deep sense of patriotism.

And there was no sugarcoating as they expressed what is now officially their collective sentiment. There was also no skirting the issue as they outlined what needs to be done about the violations of our sovereignty and sovereign rights. 

The title of SRN 718 says it all: “Resolution strongly condemning the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and the persistent incursions in the West Philippine Sea by the Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels, and urging the Philippine Government to take appropriate action in asserting and securing the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and to call on China to stop its illegal activities in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.”

Introduced by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, SRN 718 is certainly compelling as it narrates various events and incidents showing the harassment and incursions China has perpetrated in our EEZ over the years.

In SRN 718, the Department of Foreign Affairs is asked to pursue several courses of action, including “filing a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly, to call for the cessation of all activities that harass Philippine vessels and violate the Philippine’s established rights in the West Philippine Sea.” It made clear, however, that such action would be “subject to necessity and prudence.”

The other courses of action are: 1. Bringing international attention to China's harassment of Filipino fishermen in the Philippine EEZ and its continued violation of the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS; 2. Utilizing international fora to rally multilateral support for the enforcement of the Hague Ruling and raise awareness on the real situation in the West Philippine Sea; 3. Engaging like-minded countries in various international organizations, meetings, and other fora to call on China to respect the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS.

The need for the world to be constantly aware of the “real situation in the West Philippine Sea” is vital to secure and sustain growing international support for the Philippines, as well as worldwide condemnation of our giant neighbor for its harassment and wanton disregard of the rule of law.

Thus, the Philippine Coast Guard did right in condemning the Chinese Coast Guard’s use of a water cannon against a supply boat headed to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal last weekend. The PCG’s move to share with international and local media the video and photos of the incident would go a long way in the global awareness campaign.

As I have been saying in previous columns, we need not go into a shooting war to assert our rights in the WPS. But we should wage war in other fronts – reaching out to other countries that despise the harassment antics of China. Joining hands with the citizens and non-government organizations (NGOs) of other nations can form a very strong moral force against the Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party.

SRN 718, eked out by a united Senate after weeks of debates, can go a long way in uniting our country against WPS intrusions. The resolution certainly reflects the sentiments of a large majority of Filipinos. Since the arbitral ruling was handed down in 2016, various surveys showed Filipinos have overwhelmingly expressed desire for the Award to be enforced, and to resolutely oppose China’s violations in the WPS.

A united Filipino citizenry can give invaluable support to our government, knowing that govern-ment is obliged by the Philippine Constitution to assert our country’s rights in the WPS. The Constitution’s Article 12, Section 2 states: “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

The world must be constantly aware of China’s incursions in the EEZ around the Philippine archipelago, the exploitation of which exclusively belongs to us, and of  the Arbitral Award’s invalidation of China’s expansionist nine-dash claim in the South China Sea.

Indeed, it is our sacred duty to uphold what is ours. Because our forefathers fought off powerful invaders, we who are beneficiaries of their sacrifices are obliged to do no less. We must exhaust all means, without resorting to war, to conserve and develop our patrimony for the sake of future generations of Filipinos.  (Email: [email protected])