Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino (Senate PRIB)

If he would have his way, Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino wants the Philippines to have regular joint patrols with Australia, Japan, and the United States (US) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in a bid to stop China’s maritime bullying. 

Tolentino said such patrols--like the one that took place over the weekend--would trumpet the Philippines' strengthened alliance with "like-minded" countries as far as the WPS issue is concerned. 

“So, I think it (joint patrols) will signify a commitment to mutual defense and security cooperation among allies. Our diplomatic ties with defense allies strengthened. To those saying it will further enrage China, for me, it will promote more regional stability because the joint patrol will contribute to regional security and cooperation,” he said in an interview. 

Tolentino gave these remarks amid China's persisting aggressive actions in the WPS. 

On April 7, five ships participated in the joint patrol with BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz from the Philippines; the littoral combat ship USS Mobile from the US; HMAS Warramunga from Australia; and Japanese destroyer Akebono. 

Tolentino foresees joint patrols with other countries becoming a regular occurrence at WPS, and not just stand-alone military patrol exercises that happened on Sunday. 

He said the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) encourages states to cooperate in conserving and managing living resources on the high seas as provided by Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the UNCLOS. 

Tolentino also cited Article 94 of UNCLOS, which provides that states must cooperate to maintain peace, security, and good order in the oceans. 

With Chinese forces tailing the joint patrol of Australia, Japan, the US, and the Philippines, the lawmaker sees that China wants to show its citizens that they are not afraid to clap back at the joint patrol. 

“But that’s what it is,” the senator said.