DEPARTMENT OF Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez urged Ateneans to help protect, defend and uphold Philippine sovereignty amid the country’s various territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
Hernandez was the guest speaker at a forum on Philippine foreign policy held last January 10 in Ateneo de Manila University’s Ching Tan Room. The said event was part of a series of talks organized by European studies students covering topics on the social sciences.
“Just too much”
Hernandez devoted much of his talk in discussing the overlapping claims of different countries over territories in the West Philippine Sea.
He reiterated that based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippines has the sole right to develop and exploit all resources located within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
During his presentation, the disputed territories of Bajo de Masinloc, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, Recto Bank and the “53 islands, rocks and reefs” claimed by the Philippines in the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratly Islands are well within the country’s EEZ, Hernandez stressed.
He also blasted China’s “nine-dash line claim,” saying that “because China’s claim is not supported by international law, it is therefore baseless. Other countries are saying that their claim is just too much…sobra-sobra.”
The spokesperson also cited pieces of historical evidence such as maps and photos to prove that such territories had already been inhabited and utilized by Filipinos even before tensions escalated.
Hernandez at once seemed carried away during the one-and-a-half hour talk. He raised his voice, much to the delight of the audience. “Based on these explanations, it is very clear that the Kalayaan Island Group, Recto Bank and Bajo de Masinloc are part of the Philippine national territory. However, some countries do not agree and they are saying that these areas are theirs. Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam are claiming parts of the Kalayaan Island Group, while China is claiming all of it!”
“I’m just getting passionate,” he clarified.
No match
However, Hernandez acknowledged that “we are no match to China.” He recounted that at one point during the Bajo de Masinloc standoff last year, there were only two Philippine ships in the area as opposed to about 90 Chinese ships. “Kawawa naman tayo (We are so pitiful.),” he quipped.
Despite these scuffles, according to Hernandez, the Philippines continues to “constructively engage all claimant neighbors, particularly China.” He disclosed that talks with the Chinese have been non-stop.
“China is still a friend, a close neighbour and a regional partner of the Philippines. We have a vibrant relationship with China. We are in fact committed to undertake all that is possible to cultivate positive relations with China despite of this issue in the West Philippine Sea.”
Not backing down
Nevertheless, the struggle goes on to “protect what is ours.” He pointed out that a “rules-based approach” based on international law must be utilized to solve the conflict.
“In the eyes of the international law, all states are equal,” Hernandez said.
He also mentioned maintaining a “minimum credible defense posture” in the territories to signify the state’s sovereignty over the area. In line with this, he revealed that various allied countries such as the United States and Japan are donating equipment to beef up the country’s defense capabilities. Just recently, the latter has confirmed in giving 10 new patrol ships to the Philippine Coast Guard.
Homecoming
Hernandez then told the audience, mostly composed of European studies, political science and diplomacy majors, “to make a strong stand with the government to defend what is ours. Rather than being forced to accept that might is right, we will instead demonstrate that right is might.”
Apart from discussing hot-button issues, he also gamely shared his experiences about life in the foreign service.
For Hernandez, an Ateneo alumnus himself, the forum was also a homecoming of sorts. He said that the value of being a “man for others” inspired him to continue in carrying out his duties and responsibilities to the Filipino people.
