PH must set tone for peaceful resolution of dispute

NOW THAT the Permanent Court of Arbitration has released its decision on the case lodged by the Philippines against China, the Philippines should immediately set the tone of what is to follow. In the days ahead, the country should continue to advocate that all states, including China, must abide by the terms of the ruling and that all claimants should avoid any activity that could worsen tensions in the region. It’s good that many countries have already indicated their support for the arbitration process and for the peaceful resolution of the disputes.

The Philippines should persist in this message, which is key to maintaining our current level of support and to gaining the open support of more states. Our strong commitment to upholding international law helped us achieve the support we have today; an abrupt about-face would weaken our message and lead to our friends questioning our resolve. Ultimately, working with others makes us best placed to shape the decisions that all claimants make in the near future.

The Philippines has cast a good net in getting support for the case and in rallying nations around the importance of upholding international law. In March, the European Union came out in support of the case, urging claimants to resolve disputes peacefully and to pursue their claims in accordance with international law, including Unclos, or the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its arbitration procedures. In May, the Group of 7 nations composed of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States released a statement stressing the importance of states “refraining from unilateral actions which could increase tensions and not using force or coercion in trying to drive their claims.” In June, France said that even European Union nations should contribute to patrolling the South China Sea to the benefit of all, in addition to the patrols already being conducted by Japan and by the United States in partnership with the Philippines. Closer to home, we have the support of Japan, Australia, and most Asean countries. Clearly, the Philippines is by no means alone in its efforts.

China has long declared that it would not abide by the ruling, which is in line with that country’s decision not to formally participate in the arbitration. Filipinos should expect demonstrations from China, including more construction work on Scarborough Shoal or raising an air defense identification zone over the whole of the South China Sea. Filipino sailors and fishers could encounter greater harassment at sea.

Having succeeded in its case, the Philippines is now in a position of strength. Above all, the government should not rush to capitulate, but instead remain firm in its commitment to defend Philippine territory and maritime rights in accordance with the Constitution. Remember that toward the end of June, the United States sent two aircraft carriers into the Philippine Sea to perform drills, in a move that the US military has said is intended to deter other countries from destabilizing activity.

But the next few months could be tense. There is no getting away from the fact that this will be a period to navigate with extra care. One next step would be to discuss the situation at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers’ meeting at the end of this month, and for Asean to come up with a strong and unified stance highlighting the importance of countries abstaining from coercion. Similarly of impact is for the Southeast Asian claimants to discuss possible paths to the final resolution of the disputes.

When it comes to the long term, a favorable outcome from the arbitral court will not serve as a silver bullet vis-à-vis the disputes in the South China Sea. If there are no violent retributions, the stage will be set for the Philippines and other claimants to talk more closely about how and when to enter negotiations. In the past, some have posited that China could balk from a negotiation process where it feels as though it will be ganged up on by other states. Through diplomacy, the Philippines can reassure China that all countries will be treated as equal partners in the talks. The government can do this without simultaneously putting the Philippines in a damaging  position.

In the long term, cultivating friendly but equal relations with China will be good for the country. Despite the usual uncertainty that occurs when a new presidency comes into power, the Duterte administration is in a good place to continue the fruitful advocacies of the Aquino administration, while also working to reestablish mutual trust between the Philippines and China. For the benefit of the Philippines and for the Asia-Pacific region as a whole, such an effort should be supported.

Dindo Manhit is the president of Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies.