Cooperation instead of confrontation the way forward on West Philippine Sea dispute —analysts

Analysts on Thursday pushed for cooperation with China and other countries as the progressive path in dealing with the dispute on the West Philippine Sea.

During the media forum, "Assessing Duterte's handling of PCA ruling, China & USA... Quo Vadis?, geopolitics analyst Professor Anna Malindog said it was “pragmatic and wise” to choose the path of diplomacy rather than confronting China about the sea dispute.

“Given the complexities and intricacies of the issues surrounding the disputed waters… it is indeed more pragmatic and productive at the moment for both countries to put aside maritime dispute and focus their attention and energies on areas of cooperation which lead tangible benefits,” she said.

Other analysts previously said that that joint maritime cooperation initiatives could help manage tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

However, they also warned smaller claimants against giving leverage to China, which has been aggressively pressing its maritime claims on nearly the entire waters.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, has filed numerous diplomatic protests against China after hundred of Chinese fishing vessels were spotted off Julian Felipe Reef.

In the same forum, international studies expert Rommel Banlaoi said it was time to start more mutually beneficial activities with China.

“Five years have passed and I think the time has come for the two countries to move on and start more productive and more mutually beneficial activities by cooperating with each other rather than confronting each other,” he said.

“I think the Philippine government and the Filipino people will only enjoy political victory if we will get beneficial results. So, for me, we can only get benefits if we will promote greater cooperation not only with China but also with other claimant states in the South China Sea,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously said he will continue to pursue mutually beneficial bilateral relations with China.—LDF, GMA News