Teodoro warns of China efforts to 'refocus' West PH Sea debate

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday warned of China's alleged efforts to change the course of the debate regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), in light of the supposed "gentlemen's agreement" between China and former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Let us not fall into the trap set by Chinese propaganda of refocusing the debate on a so-called promise while deflecting attention away from China's government, thereby freeing and allowing them to continue with their illegal activities in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone)," Teodoro said in an open letter to Filipinos.

Teodoro issued the letter amid the discourse on the alleged "gentleman’s agreement" of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Duterte in connection with the WPS, as bared by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

"While we realize that accountability is important in the issue on whether or not a so-called ‘gentleman's agreement’ was forged with China regarding the BRP Sierra Madre and Ayungin Shoal, we Filipinos must not lose sight of the fact that the main threat to our rights in the WPS is the Chinese Governments illegal activities," Teodoro said.

GMA News Online has sought comments from the Chinese embassy on the matter but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

Chinese officials, in past statements, have accused the Philippines of breaking the supposed agreement.

According to Roque, the agreement stipulates that the Philippines will not send repair materials to BRP Sierra Madre, a decrepit Philippine ship aground in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.

However, Salvador Panelo, the chief presidential legal counsel during the Duterte administration, has denied the existence of such agreement, citing Duterte himself.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Parts of the waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone have been renamed as West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision that Beijing has rejected.

A latest resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre was marred by a water cannon attack by the Chinese Coast Goard, which left three Philippine Navy personnel injured.

Fishing shelters, ports

As this developed, Agri party-list lawmaker Wilbert Lee called for the passage of a bill mandating the establishment of fishing shelters and ports in West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise, citing the need to protect the Filipinos' source of livelihood and food.

Lee made the call under his House Bill 9011, or the proposed Fishing Shelters and Ports Act, which mandates the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in coordination with the Department of National Defense (DND) and other relevant government agencies, to establish fishing shelters and ports in nine occupied maritime features in the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise, formerly known as Benham Rise.

The fishing shelters and ports, Lee said, should be established in the islands of Lawak, Kota, Likas, Pag-asa, Parola, Panata, and Patag, as well as Rizal Reef and Ayungin Shoal, to serve as safe spots for fishermen to take refuge from foreign militia or unforeseen circumstances.

These shelters, Lee added, would also be a place where fisherfolk can rest, store gear and supplies, as well as access communication devices.

"Hindi po tayo puwedeng magwalang kibo na lang sa pambu-bully sa atin ng dayuhan sa ating sariling bakuran. Kailangang protektahan ang buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga mangingisda, at suportahan ang ating kasundaluhan na buwis-buhay na nagbabantay at nangangalaga sa ating teritoryo," Lee said.

(We can't turn a blind eye amid foreigners' bullying right in our own backyard. We need to protect the lives and livelihood of our fisherfolk, and support our troops who risk their lives in protecting our territory.)

Lee said his proposal is also aligned with Executive Order 57 recently signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. creating the National Maritime Council (NMC), which seeks to "strengthen the country's maritime security and maritime domain awareness."

The President's order was dated two days after China Coast Guard (CCG) ships water cannoned a military-contracted civilian vessel that was on a resupply mission to Filipino troops stationed on Ayungin Shoal.

"Our territorial waters are vulnerable, so are the lives of our fishermen—our food security soldiers. It is the government's responsibility to support them and protect their rights from foreign interference in order for them to continue their traditional fishing rights and improve their livelihood," Lee said.

"This measure (House Bill 9011) can sustainably ensure and send a loud message that the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise are ours," Lee added. — with a report from Llanesca T. Panti/KBK/VDV, GMA Integrated News