Source:
https://scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3020927/support-philippines-diplomatic-protest-against-chinese
Asia/ Southeast Asia

Support for Philippines’ diplomatic protest against Chinese boats ‘swarming’ in disputed South China Sea

  • President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has in recent months been criticised over its perceived inability to confront Beijing’s presence
  • China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims to the waterway, where more than US$3 trillion worth of trade passes yearly
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin in Bangkok. Photo: EPA-EFE

Manila’s diplomatic protest over Chinese boats “swarming” near a Philippine-administered island in the South China Sea has been supported by several senators and analysts, who urged the government to be more assertive in defending the country’s sovereignty.

“We should not tire of peacefully airing out our grievance,” Senator Ralph Recto told local media, while former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said Manila should go to the United Nations if its diplomatic protest proved ineffective.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr confirmed via Twitter he had filed a protest after the Philippines’ top security official revealed more than 100 Chinese boats were observed “swarming” near Pag-asa Island, also known as Thitu Island, in February and July.

“I think that Secretary Locsin is doing his best in terms of the issues we have against China,” Del Rosario told CNN Philippines.

Chinese warships also passed through the Sibutu Strait, near the Philippines’ southern tip, without prior clearance, national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon said on Wednesday.

Locsin said he “fired off” the diplomatic protest based on Esperon’s recommendation.

“I did. I listen only to military intelligence; I distrust civilian sources of ‘misinformation’,” he tweeted in response to a query about whether Manila would take action.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has in recent months been criticised over its perceived inability to confront Beijing’s presence in the disputed South China Sea – known by Manila as the West Philippine Sea. China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims to the waterway, where more than US$3 trillion worth of trade passes each year.

Vietnam and China have been at odds for weeks over an oil-drilling operation. Separately, in June, a Chinese vessel collided with a Philippine trawler, leaving 22 Filipino fishermen stranded at sea.

Asean foreign ministers expressed concern about the potential for escalation in the disputed waters during their annual meeting in Bangkok, where they also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang remained upbeat, indicating that although disputes exist he was confident a code of conduct could be agreed ahead of schedule within three years. He said China and Asean could “absolutely” reach agreement on the sea.

“I believe that progress shows that China and Asean countries have the ability, the wisdom and the will to reach consensus on the CoC,” he said, referencing the South China Sea, adding that non-regional countries should not “sow distrust” between the parties.

Locsin tweeted: “Great meeting. Wang Yi was as ever brilliant.”

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi tweeted that her country welcomed the progress and hoped it would be reflected on the ground.

Ties between the Philippines and China have warmed due to Duterte’s more conciliatory policies towards Beijing but flashpoints remain, including the large number of Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines and working there.

Esperon earlier described the influx of Chinese travellers to the Philippines as a security risk, ABS-CBN News reported.

“As the national security adviser, I have the tendency to look at it as a threat,” Esperon said on Wednesday, noting that many Chinese nationals arrive without proper documents.

“What’s really happening is that there are businesses, offshore gaming, coming in to the Philippines – these are regulated by the PAGCOR [Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation]. But there are illegal players, illegal operators; that’s our problem, because some of these Chinese could come in as tourists and they could end up for the period that they are allowed here to be workers.”

Chinese-run casino and gaming operations in Manila have increased since Duterte took office. The influx of Chinese workers – most of whom are believed to be undocumented – has created tension and resentment among locals, who blame the Chinese for taking jobs from Filipinos.

Locsin on Twitter said the Philippines should put an end to visas upon arrival, with consular offices issuing visas only after vetting applicants. He did not refer specifically to Chinese nationals.

Additional reporting by Bloomberg

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