Gazmin refutes China on sea row

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has been complying with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and it is China that has been violating it, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin maintained yesterday.

“We’ve been adhering to the (declaration). We’ve been following the DOC. We did not violate anything,” Gazmin told reporters.

When asked if China is adhering to the declaration, Gazmin replied no.

“They don’t. That’s why we have filed successive protests,” he said.

Gazmin was asked to react to reports quoting Chinese officials as saying that claimants in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) row should honor the DOC.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei has been quoted by state-run news agency Xinhua as saying that relevant countries should “fully and earnestly implement” the DOC.

Hong also called on the countries to “refrain from actions that could amplify or complicate the issue, and avoid any action that could undermine peace and stability in the region.”

Despite China’s violations of the DOC, the Philippines will continue to strive to deescalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“We have to avoid escalating the problem since we have already filed cases (before the international tribunal) to avoid jeopardizing legal proceedings,” Gazmin said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said the Philippine government must fight until the last man to retain Ayungin Shoal.

He said the government is trying to preempt a bloody solution to the issue on the Ayungin Shoal, which is now being targeted by China.

“We are preempting because remember we had further case for arbitration. That is a peaceful solution,” Binay said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said China has no right to dictate to the Philippines what it can do within its own maritime domain.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the rotation of personnel and their provisioning by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a sovereign and humanitarian duty.

Hernandez responded to questions about the informal talk between Gazmin and Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing on Chinese concerns over the Philippines putting of more structures in Ayungin Shoal.

“The Philippines exercises jurisdiction and sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea and has all the right to undertake lawful activities within its maritime domain without any interference or objection by any other state,” Hernandez said.

He maintained Ayungin Shoal is an integral part of the Philippine national territory.

“China is not in a position to dictate on what the Philippines can do within its maritime domain,” Hernandez said.

The DFA urged China to withdraw and leave the Philippine EEZ and continental shelf.

“As President (Aquino) said, we will defend what is ours. China has no right to be there. China has no right to dictate to us what we can do in our maritime domain,” Hernandez said.  â€“ Pia Lee Brago, Jaime Laude