Sea dispute must not be set aside in Duterte talks with China —maritime expert

Professor Jay Batongbacal, who heads the University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, stressed that the chief executive should raise the recent developments in the disputed South China Sea with the Chinese leaders.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to come face-to-face with top Chinese leaders during his visit to Beijing for the second Belt and Road forum this week.

Professor Jay Batongbacal, who heads the University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, stressed that the chief executive should raise the recent developments in the disputed South China Sea with the Chinese leaders.

"Kung mayroong mga mabigat na desisyon o kaya mga... kunwari, matinding offer kung paano ba ito maresolba, mas mabilis na aaksyunan 'yon kung 'yung dalawang liderato ang maguusap," Batongbacal told Balitanghali on Thursday.

"Sana nga mapag-usapan nang maayos kasi nga medyo potential crisis ito kung sakaling hindi maresolba ng maayos," he added.

Duterte is expected to attend the key infrastructure forum and hold talks with Chinese leaders amid the threat of the rising number of Chinese vessels near islands in the West Philippine Sea.

In the television interview, Batongbacal weighed in on Philippine Ambassador Jose Santiago Sta. Romana's statement wherein he said China is open to “keeping distance” form Pag-asa Island where the presence of Chinese militia has been reported.

"Dapat lang na maging open sila, ika nga, dahil hindi magiging sincere or in good faith ang magiging negotiations na 'to kung hindi talaga sila gagalaw dun sa current positions nila," the maritime expert said.

He also stressed that the tension between Manila and Beijing over disputed areas in the South China Sea cannot be set aside, saying it would affect the development of bilateral relations in various areas like economics and politics.

"Sana makita rin 'yun ng dalawang gobyerno na kailangan talaga nilang bigyan ng sapat na pansin yung pagsaayos ng sitwasyon diyan sa West Philippine Sea at hindi nila ito basta basta lang maisantabi, mai-set aside, kahit temporarily, habang tumutuloy pa rin yung ibang aspeto ng ating relasyon," Batongbacal said.

"Kailangan consistent talaga 'yung mga moves natin diyan, at 'yung dalawang partido naman, 'yung kanilang relationship diyan ay talagang dapat consistent din," he added.

'Yung kung anong relationship doon sa economic sphere, dapat 'yun 'yung relationship dito sa political, dito sa West Philippine Sea." —Margaret Claire Layug/LDF, GMA News