Paracels incident shows China unlikely to honor word over West PHL Sea —maritime expert

A maritime expert warned that China's expansion in the disputed Paracel Islands — a group of islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan — showed that it might also not honor its word to the Philippines over the latter's claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Prof. Jay Batongbacal, UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea Director, said in an interview on Balitanghali that the expansion in the disputed islands showed China's willingness to break agreements to further its interests.

"Despite the atmosphere and the assurances given before, medyo hindi talaga tumutubad din ang China sa kanyang sinasabi, yung kanyang mga assurances na wala nang mangyayaring reclamation diyan sa South China Sea, sa ibang lugar nga lang nga nila ginawa," Batongbacal said on Friday.

He added, "Dagok rin yan sa Philippine policy dahil kumbaga, similarly situated ang Vietnam and Philippines dun sa concern nila over this Chinese reclamation."

"Dahil nga dito sa nangyayari sa Paracel, parang masasabi natin na hindi natin talaga mapapanghawakan 'yan for sure dahil nakita natin, when the opportunity presents itself umaaksyon ang China kahit ano pang sinabi niya before," Batongbacal further explained.

The professor said the Philippines' decision to stay quiet regarding its territorial claim in the South China Sea had emboldened China to expand its military bases on the disputed islands and may have resulted in the Philippines losing Vietnam's support over its own territorial claims.

"Dahil tumahimik tayo dun sa last ASEAN Summit, eh hindi natin tinulungan ang Vietnam na magtake ng strong position against it, naging opportunity yan sa China para ipatuloy naman yung reclamation sa side naman ng Vietnam," Batongbacal explained.

"Nakikita natin na yung kawalan ng tulong, yung pagpaluwag natin para sa China ay siyang nagbigay ng opportunity tuloy na ma-agrabyado naman niya yung dapat na katulong sana natin, yung Vietnam," he continued.

China increased the number of structures it built in the Paracels, a group of islands also being claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, in a what experts say is a "more forceful" assertion of their interests.

Batongbacal said Vietnam might avoid an armed response but mobilize assets to prepare against potential threats, something which other countries with territorial disputes with China have been preparing for.

"Ang mangyayari nito, ang implication nito talaga ay, from a broader perspective, makikita natin na yung China, patuloy pa rin yung pagpapalakas dun sa kanilang positions at pag-defend ng mga military assets diyan sa area," he said.

Batongbacal said the Philippines' pacifist strategy would have negative long-term effects.

"Kahit meron tayong short-term game, over the long term perspective, natatalo tayo. Nagkakaroon ng mas malaking advantage ang China," he said.

Batongbacal earlier said that any agreement between the Philippines and China in developing the disputed waters cannot be considered joint development as China's claims have been declared invalid by an international tribunal. — Rie Takumi/MDM, GMA News