Senate sent reso condemning China's bullying to Marcos — Zubiri

The Senate has sent a copy of its resolution strongly denouncing China's illegal incursions and encroachment in the West Philippine Sea to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. prior to the latter's state visit to Beijing, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Wednesday.

"So we also sent it out to the Office of the President to show our disgust kaya nga ginawa namin 'yan prior to his visit para alam niya 'yung posisyon ng Senado regarding this issue," Zubiri said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

"Kailangan may good cop, bad cop and kami sa Senado, we are willing to play bad cop...We can also give unsolicited advice to the President to tread carefully when it comes to dealing with our neighbor China. 'Di naman namin sinasabing awayin natin sila. No, but we have to take a stand on certain issues," he added.

Zubiri said they had to make a stand like Vietnam to show that the Philippines is not "backing down" on its claims over the WPS.

"Neighbors should treat each other with respect. I think what had happened in the recent months is not a sign of respect and sana itong visit ni Pangulo sa China will encourage them to show respect to their neighboring countries like the Philippines and stop bullying us when it comes to our fisherfolk, when it comes to our Navy personnel, when it comes to supplying Pag asa island," he said.

During his visit to China, Marcos said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to find a compromise and find measures that will be beneficial to Filipino fishermen.

He said he expects lessened tensions and incidents of harassment in the WPS after he proposed the strengthening of a bilateral team that would discuss issues in the resource-rich region during his meeting with the Chinese leader.

Marcos said there were existing bilateral mechanisms which discuss issues between the two countries. He said it would be best if members of the bilateral teams had direct access to the heads of state.

For Zubiri, this is a "good first step" and suggested that both governments' Navy chiefs and Foreign Affairs ministers have a "direct line" for proper communications.

"Para hindi mag-escalate sa shooting incident o pagkakaroon ng barilan. That is...elevation of hostilities in the area. We have to de- escalate but definitely, we have to push our right on the West Philippine Sea. Dapat payagan po nila 'yung ating mga mangingisda na umikot dito sa mga lugar na ito at pwedeng mangisda sa ating exclusive economic zone," he said.

He then disclosed that some of the senators are planning to beef up the funds for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources next year to build medium-sized fishing boats so they can fish "safely and freely" within our territories.

On the other hand, Zubiri said the Supreme Court decision declaring unconstitutional the Philippines' Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in 2005 with China and Vietnam in the South China Sea might have implications on the joint exploration talks that Marcos had discussed with the Chinese government in his recent visit to China.

Marcos earlier said the Philippines and China would continue negotiations as regards joint oil and gas explorations in the South China Sea.

"May implications po 'yan sa mga negotiations ng ating Pangulo in his recent visit to China. There are questions there. One question: Are we now barred from doing joint exploration with other claimant countries such as China and Vietnam under this ruling?” Zubiri said.

The Senate chief said that the government must "tread carefully" in these exploration talks with China because it might also be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Although he cautioned the government on the negotiations with China regarding the joint oil and gas exploration, Zubiri expressed confidence that Marcos will be advised well on its legality as former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin serves as his executive secretary.

On the other hand, Zubiri urged the government to study possible explorations in other areas such as the Sulu Sea and Benham Rise.

"We are talking about oil exploration... We are an archipelago. Ako, hindi naniniwala na walang langis doon sa Sulu Sea, between Mindanao and Palawan," he said.

"We have other opportunities. I do not know why we are always concentrating on the West Philippine Sea, South China Sea area. We can continue to explore down south," he added.

Zubiri mentioned raising this with Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and he was informed that the government tried to explore the Sulu Sea in early 2000s but it did not push through due to security concerns in Mindanao.

But with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Zubiri said he believes that the exploration can resume as there are lesser security threats in the area.

He mentioned the possibility of exploring the Sulu Sea with the BARMM.

"Ako, I would suggest that we focus also on other areas of the country. We can also look into Benham Rise, which is east of Quezon. Walang claimant d'on, atin yun," he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News