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Alan Cayetano: Philippines should observe a balanced approach to territorial claims
Alan Cayetano: Philippines should observe a balanced approach to territorial claims
While the Philippines needs to protect its sovereignty over its territories especially its maritime assets, the government should strictly observe a balanced approach on such matters, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said.
Cayetano pointed this out during his interpellation on Senate Bill No. 2492 or An Act Declaring the Maritime Zones Under the Jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines sponsored by Sen. Francis Tolentino.
“We have to find a way of protecting what is ours, but also balancing the proper relations with our neighbors,” Cayetano said on Tuesday, February 20.
“Examine, re-examine… What would be favorable to us. When I say that, that includes getting the consensus of the international community because (we can claim it) but it will spell out war to our neighbors,” the senator warned.
Cayetano, a former foreign affairs secretary, recalled that the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) itself had suggested to the Duterte administration that the map of the Philippines be changed based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Philippines is signatory to the UNCLOS.
According to Cayetano, Duterte decided to let the maps as is, as it would be more beneficial to the government in the future.
“Our hands won’t be bound to whatever we will claim in the future,” he said.
Cayetano also expressed doubts that the proposed law would be effective in strengthening the country’s claim and its impact in terms of the Treaty of Paris and the UNCLOS.
“I’m quite cautious in anything we pass whether or not it will actually strengthen our claims because we really need to look at every single view, front view, back view, bird’s eye view of this,” he said.
Earlier, Tolentino gave assurance that the entitlement bestowed by the UNCLOS will be strengthened and that the Philippine government must assert it through legislative action.
In response, Cayetano said it is imperative for lawmakers to maintain a consistent foreign policy that balances the country’s interests while maintaining good relations with neighboring countries.