Sotto urges Malacañang to seek 'economic options' in resolving WPS conflict with China

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday urged Malacañang to seek “economic options” in resolving the West Philippine Sea issue with China.

In a statement, Sotto suggested pursuing studies on oil exploration in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to “underscore” the 2016 arbitral ruling and “affirm” the country’s claim in the resource-rich area.

This was his recommendation as he pointed out that there is no enforcing body that would implement the Philippine victory in the case it filed against China before the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration.

“The public discourse over the WPS boils down to one thing: While the United Nations ruled in our favor, the ruling cannot be put in force because of the absence of an international body that would enforce it. But we can use this arbitral victory to our advantage,” Sotto said.

The Department of Energy could push for the exploration activities in the area and open this to private investors and other states for a 60-40 agreement, Sotto suggested.

Sotto said China cannot bar the government from exploring within the EEZ as this belongs to the Philippines.

Instead, the Senate leader said China can be a “joint partner” for the 60-40 deal on the exploration activities.

“Huwag nating sayangin ang economic opportunity na available sa atin. (Let us not waste this available economic opportunity.) Our government leaders should start scouting for investors who are willing to pour in funds to explore the rich aquatic resources in the area, there are oil and gas reserves and other natural resources in the depths of these waters,” he said.

“It is time that we set aside our political differences…Maghanap tayo ng paraan na magamit ang ating panalo sa [United Nations] para magkaroon ng karagdagang kita ang ating gobyerno na magagamit nito para mapagbuti ang social services,” he added.

(Let us find ways to use our UN victory to generate income which we can use for our social services.)

Debates on the West Philippine Issue were reignited after hundreds of Chinese vessels were spotted near Julian Felipe Reef located west of Palawan, which is also part of the Philippine EEZ.

The Philippine government has filed numerous diplomatic protests and demanded the withdrawal of the Chinese ships in the area.  —Hana Bordey/KBK, GMA News