Reassess PH strategy on disputed territories

It is time to reassess the strategy we have thus far taken to resolve the problem involving the Kalayaan Group of Islands and related maritime zones, including those of the Philippine archipelago. The strategy has not worked but has moved us further away from a solution to the problem.

In June 1975, on the occasion of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, President Marcos met with Deng Xiaoping who, even at that time, was apparently in charge of the government.  At that meeting, President Marcos brought up what he described as a problem between the Philippines and China over certain islands in the South China Sea. He suggested that the two countries bring the matter to the United Nations for resolution. Deng, looking somewhat amused and noting then Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo’s presence, remarked that nothing was ever solved before the United Nations. He then suggested that the Philippines and China settle the matter amicably; meanwhile, he advised that both countries may articulate and, if they so desire, argue publicly their respective positions but that they should never fight. I was present at that meeting.

Although that was decades ago, I believe that policy articulated by Deng still holds under China’s present leadership. I would suggest that it is the best, if not the only way, to bring about a resolution that will be respected and implemented by the parties involved.

I do not know, or at least none has been made public, of any initiative taken by the present administration to settle the problem amicably among the countries with conflicting claims to the area, principally China. What has been well publicized was the apparently unsuccessful back-channeling of Sen. Antonio Trillanes, the Philippines’ effort to seek US and Asean intervention and, of late, the filing of a Petition for Arbitration under the Law of the Sea Convention.

All of these efforts have moved us away from the possibility of an amicable settlement of the problem. I would characterize these efforts as needlessly provocative, thus exacerbating the problem. News dispatches on May 8, 2013, for example, reported that China sent one of its biggest ever fishing fleet to the disputed islands and that China will make “every effort to guarantee the fleet’s safety.”

I suggest that the present administration reassess the strategy it has taken, including its petition for arbitration, which is fraught with risks hardly proportionate to the possible results it may achieve. Indeed, no perceptible effort appears to determine what settlement terms we shall endeavor to achieve which are realistically feasible—meaning, feasible legally and possibly acceptable to the other countries, principally China and Vietnam. On this point, I have reservations that President Aquino, by himself, has the mandate to determine the terms of settlement the Philippines may propose and agree upon.

The recent problem with Taiwan does not, of course, help. Taiwanese troops occupy the largest island in the disputed island group.

—ESTELITO P. MENDOZA, [email protected]