Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario urged the Duterte administration to listen to the “stronger” and “clearer” voice of the Filipino people telling the government to push for the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling on the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea.
(Read his speech in our story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/insight-future-challenges-of-phl-foreign-policy/)
This was after a recent Social Weather Stations Survey (SWS) results showed that nearly 9 out of 10 are asking the government to assert the tribunal’s outcome.
“For us Filipinos, this punctuates a growing clamor for government to listen,” Del Rosario said in his opening remarks in a Stratbase forum this morning. “The voice of the Filipino people is becoming stronger and clearer. The government needs to listen to our people.”
He also said even Chinese citizens believe that their government should listen to public opinion as he cited survey results showing that most Hong Kong people hope to see different governments follow the opinion of the people in setting the South China Sea disputes.
“The survey found that, of those who are aware of the issue, 58 percent of them considered it important for a government to follow its people’s opinion in settling the South China Sea disputes,” he said. “Considering the limited freedom of Chinese citizens, I was not expecting encouraging figures which Mahar aptly interprets, “These items support the theme that public opinion in countries directly concerned, and in the world as a whole, has a role in settling cross-country disputes.”
Nonetheless, Del Rosario said China also needs to hear from our people.
“The community of nations needs to hear the Filipino speaking with one voice. At day’s end, we need to adhere to the rule of law and stand for what is right,” he said.
He also expressed confidence in the leadership of new Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro M. Locsin, Jr.
“…Amid most difficult challenges facing the new Secretary of Foreign Affairs, we respectfully proffer to him our highest level of confidence that his leadership will result in the significant advancement of our national interest among the nations of the world,” he said.
Moreover, Del Rosario said violations committed by China should be protested as there are “hard-earned” gains of the Filipino obtained from the tribunal outcome.
“There have been many unlawful acts of aggression committed by China in the South China Sea including illegal reclamation, degrading of marine environment, interference of petroleum activities of Philippine commercial vessels within Philippine EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), interference of Filipino fishermen within Philippine EEZ. Militarization of artificial islands, violating agreements on marine safety and directly confronting our President with the threat of war,” he said.
“The Philippines should seek a resolution from the UN General Assembly to ask China to abide by the arbitral ruling. We can pursue multilateral cooperation and support through ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations, EAS (East Asia Summit), ARF (Asean Regional Forum) while at the same time utilizing bilateral engagements,” he added.
As part of its independent foreign policy, the Duterte administration has since sought closer ties with China amid the maritime dispute. Critics have since pointed out that the administration are following this tack in exchange for investments and funding for its infrastructure projects.
The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration backed the Philippines when it issued the landmark decision invalidating China’s claims to the West Philippine Sea in 2016.
However, China still refuses to recognize the arbitral ruling.
Image credits: AP
1 comment
All Duterte followers are becoming blind to what Duterte is doing. Selling OFf the Philippines to China, following China’s policy OF killing religion, political dynasty, deaf to the Voice OF the people, putting down those WHO opposed him or exposed his own dirt. He appeals to the emotions OF the poor people but is very defiant to those WHO uses their intellect.