Philippines to lose WPS if Duterte approach towards China continues —maritime law expert

If President Rodrigo Duterte's policy with China continues, the Philippines will lose its control over the West Philippine Sea, maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said Wednesday.

He was asked about his advice to the next administration regarding the country's position on its maritime claims.

"My view is that the country's jurisdiction and sovereignty in West Philippine Sea will not survive in the next six years of what we have seen in the past five. In the first five years of this administration at least," Batongbacal said in a forum organized by Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

Citing China's incursions in the country, Batongbacal warned that Chinese forces may "dig deeper" into the Philippine maritime claims.

"With those first five years, we saw how quickly China increased its pressure that really dug deep into West Philippine Sea and it's really hard to dislodge at this point," Batongbacal said.

"If that kind of policy is taken up again by the next administration, you can bet that they (China) will go even deeper. We will eventually lose control of that area," he added.

To protect the Philippines' sovereignty, Batongbacal also advised the next administration to be "united" regardless of their political leanings.

The next administration should also have a "long-term" plan which will be followed by its successors.

"We need as a nation to be united with respect to our position on West Philippine Sea and Kalayaan Island Group. Regardless if whether you are red, yellow, or pink. Kailangan isa lang (We need to be one)," the University of the Philippines professor said.

"Because as far as China is concerned, It doesn't matter who is the president or what political party is with, they will continue with the plan... We've seen them push ahead with it despite overtures and charms offensives, they took and supposed closeness and friendship with the current admin," he added.

China's recent activity was to enforce "unlawful radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns" during patrols by Philippine vessels within the West Philippine Sea.

But China refused to act on Philippines' diplomatic protests, adding that its illegal activities are "legitimate and justified."

Bongbong Marcos may repeat Duterte's relations with China

In the same forum, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was alarmed by former Senator Bongbong Marcos' presidential run in Eleksyon 2022, adding that it could continue Duterte's friendly relations with China.

"It is common in political circles that Bongbong Marcos is aligned with China. So we expect that should Bongbong Marcos win in 2022, then we can expect more of the foreign policy position that Duterte imposed on us in the past six years," Trillanes said.

"It is critical. If we pick the wrong president, say Bongbong Marcos, then there you go.  You will just have to grin and bear it while China will lord it over for the next six years," Trillanes, also a senatorial aspirant, added.

GMA News Online sought reaction from Marcos' camp but has yet to reply.

Keep protesting

On China's continued unlawful activities in the West Philippine Sea, Batongbacal suggested that the Philippines should keep protesting and uncover China's incursions globally.

"Because if we keep quiet, they will go deeper and deeper into our waters. If we call them out and expose that to the world then at least that can slow them down and give us some more time to do other things," Batongbacal said.

The Philippines should also pursue the modernization of military and law enforcement assets that can operate in the country's territorial waters, Batongbacal further pointed out.

"We need to catch up on the years of neglect not just of this administration but also in previous administration. We need to close that gap," he said.

In the face of China's aggression, Trillanes touted the Aquino administration's clear foreign policy, which he said defended the country's claims in the West Philippine Sea.

"He was very clear on foreign policy decision which is to defend what is ours. So when China implemented this cabbage strategy in Scarborough Shoal, President (Benigno) Aquino (III) utilized all the foreign policy back then," said Trillanes, who previously conducted backdoor negotiations with China regarding the situation of Scarborough Shoal in 2012.

Trillanes, likewise, underscored the 2016 arbitration case, wherein China's nine-dash line or the massive claims on the South China Sea was invalidated.—LDF, GMA News