Prague: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Affirms Philippines’ Commitment to Territorial Integrity
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines has reiterated the country’s unwavering commitment to its territorial integrity, even in the face of potential agreements with China regarding the joint exploration of resources in the disputed South China Sea. The issue arose following an announcement by the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) about a significant oilfield discovery in the South China Sea, estimated to have a volume of 100 million tons.
President Marcos emphasized that sovereignty, sovereign rights, and territorial jurisdiction remain paramount in any negotiations. He made it clear that compromising the territorial integrity of the Philippines is not an option. Speaking to the media, he stated, “The sovereignty and the sovereign rights and our territorial jurisdictions remain a key in all of these talks, and we cannot, at any point, somehow compromise the territorial integrity of the Philippines.”
President Marcos outlined the guiding principle behind any future talks, emphasizing the importance of considering the specific areas under discussion. While he did not provide further details, he affirmed that the preservation of territorial integrity would be the foundation of any negotiations.
The Philippines and China had initially planned to explore oil and gas assets in the South China Sea in 2018. Former President Rodrigo Duterte later revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to a potential 60-40 scheme favoring Manila in oil and gas exploration, on the condition that the Philippines set aside the arbitral ruling on the disputed territory.
However, discussions on the matter were terminated by the Duterte administration due to “constitutional limitations” before the end of Duterte’s term. President Marcos, during his state visit to China, expressed Manila’s readiness to restart negotiations on joint exploration.
China claims a significant portion of the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea, along with its potential offshore oil and gas deposits and traditional fishing grounds. However, a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal recognized the Philippines’ sovereign right to fish and use resources in the region, invalidating China’s sweeping historical claims.
In response to the recent developments, China’s defense ministry issued a statement urging the Philippines to refrain from provocative actions that could escalate tensions in the disputed waters. The ministry also called on non-regional countries to avoid rhetoric and actions that support the Philippines’ provocative acts and to refrain from being a disruptor in the South China Sea.
There have been ten confrontational incidents between the Philippines and China in the disputed waters thus far. The most notable incident occurred on March 5, when Chinese coast guard vessels sideswiped a Philippine patrol ship and used water cannons against another boat carrying a Filipino admiral and provisions for Filipino soldiers stationed at Ayungin Shoal.
President Marcos expressed anticipation for his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 19 to discuss security matters. Secretary Blinken’s visit to the Philippines, scheduled for March 18-19, aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and reaffirm the shared commitment to protect the interests of both countries. During his visit, Secretary Blinken was scheduled to meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo to discuss various matters of mutual concern.
In conclusion, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm stance on the Philippines’ territorial integrity underscores the country’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea. The ongoing discussions and potential agreements with China regarding joint exploration will undoubtedly have significant implications for both nations and the region as a whole. The international community will closely monitor the outcomes of these talks as they navigate the complex dynamics of the disputed waters.
Source: The Manila Times
