TARLAC City — President Aquino said Friday he would push for the crafting of an enforceable Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, when he attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia late this month.
The President made the statement amid the United States’ and the Group of Seven’s (G7) pronouncements on the need for a peaceful resolution of the South China Sea disputes.
“Sa nalalapit na pagpunta natin sa Malaysia para sa ASEAN, uulitin natin ang panawagan para mabuo na ‘yung tinatawag na Code of Conduct,” the President told reporters during an interview on the sidelines of a school building turnover ceremony here.
The regional bloc tried to craft a Code of Conduct in 2002 but only came up with the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, which is a non-binding agreement signed by the ASEAN and China.
He said even the DOC is being violated by China’s aggressive reclamation efforts in several reefs also being claimed by the Philippines.
“Sa ating pananaw, mukhang naba-violate na ngayon, kaya lalong imperative na itulak natin ang pagsulong nga nitong Code of Conduct,” he said, expressing hope that talks in the ASEAN for the formulation of the Code of Conduct would start soon.
The US and G7’s statements are not new, he said, adding that many other countries are issuing similar statements, calling for a non-violent resolution of the dispute.
The South China Sea problem is not only a regional concern but an international one as well, the President said, noting that at least 40 percent of global trade passes through the shipping lanes of the South China Sea.
Aside from the reclamation work being done by China, another worrisome development is the possibility that China might enforce a fishery law that requires Filipino fishermen to ask permission from Chinese authorities to operate in the contested area.
“Kapag in-enforce nila, parang kailangang humingi na tayo ng permiso para mangisda sa ating exclusive economic zone,” he pointed out.
The Philippines has filed an arbitration case on the issue before the international tribunal, a move opposed by China, refusing to participate and instead rushed the construction of several structures in the contested reefs.
Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan are also laying claim to the resource-rich territory. (Malacanang release, PND)
