Hindi dapat ipagsawalang-bahala ang mga iligal na aktibidad sa South China Sea (SCS) at dapat na malapatan na ng angkop na pagtugon ang sitwasyon sa rehiyon.
“These kinds of behavior cannot be ignored, and demand of us concerted and serious efforts to truly manage our disputes in the South China Sea.” -Pangulong Marcos Jr.
Sa ika-19 na East Asia Summit, muling inilatag ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang mga pamba-braso na naranasan at patuloy na iniinda ng Pilipinas sa rehiyon.
“I believe we all recognize that the South China Sea is a strategic challenge that cannot be readily solved. Parties have to be conscientious and earnest concerning this most consequential issue. We must all remain open so as to seriously manage differences and reduce tensions.” -Pangulong Marcos Jr.
Kabilang na dito ang pangha-harass sa RORE mission ng bansa, kahit pa sa loob ng Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas.
“Last August, our vessels on routine maritime patrol endured aggression and harassment in Escoda Shoal, a feature that lies well within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. And to provide a frame of reference, Escoda Shoal is 70 nautical miles away from the nearest coastline of the Philippines. For comparison, Escoda Shoal lies 600 nautical miles away from the Mainland.” -Pangulong Marcos
Gayundin ang paggamit ng water cannon ng Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) at pagbangga nito sa mga sasakyang pandagat ng Pilipinas, na nagresulta sa pagkasira ng mga asset ng bansa.
“More recently, our civilian fisheries vessels and aircraft were targeted by lasers and subjected to intimidation by guided-missile ships.” -Pangulong Marcos
Sabi ng Pangulo, ang mga insidenteng ito ay sumasalamin lamang sa kawalan ng respeto sa international law at standards, partikular ang UNCLOS at 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS).
Kaya’t dapat aniya, maisapinal na ang Code of Conduct (COC) para sa South China Sea (SCS) sa pinakamabilis na panahon.
“We need to hasten the process of negotiations as the risks of miscalculation and escalation of tension continue to increase.” -Pangulong Marcos. | ulat ni Racquel Bayan
