Robredo urges gov’t to stand firm on West PHL Sea: Our sovereignty is at stake

The administration should stand firm behind the Philippines' claims in the South China Sea because the country's sovereignty is at stake, Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday.

"Bakit napakahalagang ipaglaban natin? Una, iyong sovereignty natin. Iyong ating kasarinlan nakataya dito," Robredo said in an interview on RMN.

She added that giving up on the country's rights to the disputed sea would have an economic impact as well, affecting fishermen's livelihood and losing the Philippines a possible alternative source of energy.

"Marami tayong kababayan na ang kabuhayan nandiyan at saka iyong lugar na iyan, iyong tanong kung bakit ba siya pinag-aawayan, kasi mayaman siya sa resources eh... Kailangan natin ng alternative na source ng langis para sa ating kuryente, para sa ating lahat na pangangailangan at makukuha natin iyan diyan," Robredo said.

"Kapag igi-give up na lang natin na basta-basta, ang dine-deprive natin iyong buong bansa. Ang dine-deprive natin iyong lahat nating mga kababayan," she added.

Robredo's remarks came on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte's previous statement that China is "already in possession" of the disputed sea.

“...China is already in possession. It’s now in their hands. So why do you have to create frictions, strong military activity that will prompt a response from China?” Duterte said.

During the ASEAN-China Summit in Singapore, Duterte, representing the Philippines as the dialogue coordinator between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said that he will try his best to expedite the conclusion of negotiations for a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea as China wants the rulebook finished in three years.

Robredo said the government should take a more assertive stand in the territorial dispute.

"Nakakalungkot ito kasi tayo nga—tayo iyong bansa na may pinanghahawakan nang desisyon. Ipinaglaban natin ito. Hindi madali iyong ating pinagdaanan. Nanalo tayo doon sa legal process na pinasok natin. Mayroon tayong lakas na pinanghahawakan pero ayaw nating gamitin," she said.

In 2016, the Philippines won its case against China's excessive nine-dash-line claim over the South China Sea at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

Duterte had previously avoided confrontations with China about the ruling, saying the Philippines could not afford to go to war with China over the disputed territories.

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has decried Duterte's contention that confronting China means going to war with it, calling it a "false choice."

In her radio interview, Robredo echoed the sentiment. "Nagbibigay kasi ng kalituhan kasi parang parating ine-equate sa pagkakaroon ng giyera. Parang sinasabi na kung mag-reklamo tayo magkakaroon ng giyera," she said.

"Alam natin na hindi iyon totoo. Iyong sa atin, lalong hindi tayo iimik, lalong hinahayaan na mawala sa atin iyong ating mga claims sa West Philippine Sea," she added.

After Duterte's remark, Carpio stressed that China is not in possession of the South China Sea.

"No state can possess or own the high seas, which belong to all mankind. Under UNCLOS, there is freedom of navigation and overflight in the high seas for all nations," he said. — BM, GMA News