Aquino creates West Philippine Sea task force

President Benigno Aquino III has created a task force aimed at "achieving unified action" as part of efforts to find a resolution to the country's territorial dispute with China on the West Philippine Sea.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea is headed by the National Security Adviser with representatives from other government agencies as members, according to Memorandum Circular 94 signed on March 17.

[Read: PHL reiterates call for self-restraint in South China Sea]

"Given the country's national interest, national policies, and evolving strategic landscape, a more deliberate and coherent approach in addressing the West Philippine Sea issue is needed for the purpose of orchestrating the national effort and achieving unified action in the West Philippine Sea," the memorandum read.

Task force members are representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation and Communications, and Department of Finance.

The other members are representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority, National Coast Watch System, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police - Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The task force's creation comes after China continued to assert control of the disputed islands through its man-made structures and reclamation activities.

China seized Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales in 2012, prompting Aquino to seek international arbitration and a final decision is expected on or before May this year.

Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the resource-rich sea wherein about $5 trillion of global trade passes every year.

Aquino said the issues, policies and required actions in the West Philippine Sea transcend the maritime security domain "as these extend to other areas of concern such as in the diplomatic, politico-legal, information, military and law enforcement, and socio-economic fields."

The President added that it is the government's constitutional mandate to defend the country's sovereignty and protect the nation's marine wealth "in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone" for sole use of its citizens."

According to the circular, Aquino will give his guidance to the task force through the cabinet cluster on security, justice, and peace.

The task force will oversee the work of government agencies to achieve the objectives and submit regular reports to the President through the cabinet security cluster. — BAP/APG, GMA News