THE WESTERN portion of our country was first referred to as the South China Sea. However, after the Scarborough Shoal issue, our government decided to name the area the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The issue in WPS intensified when China sent paramilitary ships to Scarborough Shoal, blocking Filipino vessels and fishing boats away from the area.
To acquire legal rights over the area, our country filed a case against China at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. It raised maritime issues over the WPS.
The country succeeded in its fight against China. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favor of the Philippines. The tribunal declared the nine-dash line and historical claims of China in in the South China Sea as illegal.
The PCA ruled that “as between the Philippines and China, there was no legal basis for China to claim historical rights to resources, in excess of the rights provided for by the Convention, within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line.”
The issue doesn’t stop there because China continues to claim sovereignty over the South China Sea, including the WPS. Recently, 220 Chinese vessels believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia were spotted there. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is preparing a diplomatic protest and will do so upon the recommendation of the military.
Yes, we have rights and claims over the WPS. How?
The WPS is in the west side of our country where our maritime rights extend. The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) stretches to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. Beyond that is our extended continental shelf.
The PCA declared that certain sea areas are within the EEZ of the Philippines; thus, do not overlap with that of China.
China had unlawfully created a serious risk of collision when they obstructed Philippine vessels. Additionally, it has large-scale reclamation and construction of artificial islands which are dangerous and damaging to the environment.
We do not only base our rights using maps, treaties, and records but we also base it in the rules set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The law provides for the boundaries of our territory.
Considering the current situation, China has no business in WPS. Hence, whatever they do in that area is tantamount to the violation of our sovereign rights and worst will damage our environment and marine resources.
The WPS represents the rich marine diversity of our country. This area houses some of species of unique character. They could teach us not only about marine life but also about the resilience of our planet. They also help our fishermen’s livelihood.
More than anything else, our assertion over WPS is an exercise of our sovereign power over our territory, which was legally claimed and awarded to be ours. Just like what our Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Teddy Locsin said, “In my watch, foreign policy is the fist in the iron glove of the Armed Forces.”
Our government will continue to pursue environmental and safety navigation for our country. This is just one of the many things our country can exercise its sovereignty./PN
