Marcos reaffirms commitment to rules-based order

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday renewed his support for a rules-based international order as fresh tensions grip the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China.

“As the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairship, we remain committed to dialogue, cooperation and a rules-based international order. Here’s to stronger ties and lasting friendships among our nations,” Marcos said in a Facebook post, a day after Malacañang hosted the annual vin d’honneur.

Vin d’honneur, which means “wine of honor,” is an official reception hosted by the President and attended by foreign envoys, government officials, lawmakers, members of the judiciary and business leaders. It marks the New Year and the anniversary of Philippine independence.

During the event, Marcos thanked members of the diplomatic community for their partnerships with the Philippines, saying he was “confident in the work ahead.”

The President’s post came days after Chinese ships harassed a Philippine fishing boat near Panatag Shoal, located about 124 nautical miles off Zambales, well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported the first harassment incident in the WPS this year.

PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea issues Commodore Jay Tarriela said the incident occurred around noon on Jan. 12, as the fishing boat FFB Prince LJ was heading to its fishing grounds west of Panatag Shoal.

A People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel and a China Coast Guard ship reportedly approached the Filipino fishing boat, blared sirens and blocked its path.

The PCG multirole response vessel BRP Cape San Agustin responded shortly after 3:59 p.m.

“The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in defending the safety and maritime rights of our fishermen, in full accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.

Not sorry

Against this backdrop of heightened maritime tensions, Tarriela also found himself at the center of a diplomatic controversy after the Chinese embassy filed a protest for “publicly (posting) images on social media attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”

One of the photos posted on Tarriela’s Facebook page showed him speaking before a lecture with students, with a screen behind him displaying three caricatures of Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by the text: “Why China remains to be a bully?”

Responding to China’s move on Friday, Tarriela maintained he has no reason to apologize for allegedly flashing the caricatures, stressing that he did not mention any name.

“Why would I apologize over the caricature? Is that really their issue? I didn’t even mention that it was President Xi Jinping – they were the ones who named him,” he told The STAR in Filipino.

In a separate interview yesterday, Tarriela added he got “confused” on the basis of the complaint by the Chinese embassy. — Ghio Ong