Solons: Asserting rights in West Philippine Sea doesn’t have to be bloody

Two lawmakers on Tuesday underscored that asserting the Philippines' sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea does not necessarily mean going to war against China.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate said President Rodrigo Duterte's remark that "claiming possession of the area by the Philippines will be bloody" was clearly defeatist.

"Figuratively, he just jetskied his way to China, waved and handed the white flag of surrender," Zarate said in a statement.

"These latest pronouncement would only make us lose more of our exclusive economic zone, like the Julian Felipe Reef now being claimed also by China," he added.

The progressive lawmaker pointed out that there are so many ways to assert the country's rights in the region. Zarate said the Philippines could seek help from the international community.

"We can also assert our historic victory in the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration as well as push for the code of conduct in the South China Sea. Joint patrols with other claimants is also an option," he added.

Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon, vice chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security, said the country could assert its rights through peaceful and lawful means.

"I maintain my opinion that as much as our available resources can support, we should assert the country’s rights in the EEZ through peaceful and lawful air and surface maritime patrols," Biazon said in a message.

He said conducting patrols could also prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities in the region by other states.

"We owe it to future generations to ensure that food supply is secure," Biazon said.

Amid the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea, Duterte said nothing will happen even if he sails to the disputed waters.

He said "the issue of the West Philippine Sea remains a question forever until such time that we can take it back."

“We can retake it only by force, there is no way that we can get it back ‘yan tawag na Philippine Sea without any bloodshed... You know the cost of war, and if we go there to find out and assert jurisdiction, it would be bloody. It would result in violence that we cannot maybe win,” the President had said. — BM, GMA News