Taiwanese president visit to Spratlys not a security threat to RP

MANILA, Philippines – The visit of Taiwanese President Cheng Shu-bian to the disputed Spratly Islands last Saturday did not necessitate a military action as the trip was more political in nature and would not pose threat to Philippine security, an official said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, navy spokesman said that while their forces “could have monitored” the arrival of the C-130 plane that brought Cheng to Ligao Island (Taiping), there was no cause for the military to be alarmed as it was not an act of aggression on Filipino forces stationed there.

Caculitan said navy forces stationed at the Kalayaan Group of Islands are capable of monitoring activities within the contested Spratlys, but saw no security threat in the visit, which he said was more of a “diplomatic” one.

The Kalayaan islands are situated less than 300 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa.

“It is not for the military to take action because it was not meant to cause aggression on our forces there,” he said.

He said there were previous activities of claimant countries within the Spratly Islands that did not require military action, such as the visit of tourists in the island occupied by Vietnam some time in the past and the construction of facilities in the so-called Mischief Reef in 1995.

But he admitted that the navy’s capability to patrol the entire area is limited due to lack of vessels.

Ligao Island, part of the contested territory, is about 20 to 30 miles from the Kalayaan Group of Islands, where the Armed Forces of the Philippines maintains its presence.

AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said in an earlier interview that while the visit might have some implications on the one-China policy, it does not affect the Philippines’ claim on the Spratlys.

The visit has generated protest from Philippine government authorities, saying it could spark tension among claimant countries.

Diplomatic concern

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said claimant countries should observe the code of conduct being implemented among them on the contested Spratly Islands, to avoid agitation and tension in the area.

In an interview yesterday, Teodoro said the visit of Taiwanese President Cheng Shu-Bian created a stir among other claimant countries because it was publicized.

“He publicized the visit, publicized his intension to fortify his claim in the area. In fact what is wanted as of the present is a status quo,” he said.

He said they are still finding out Cheng’s motive in visiting Ligao Island (Taiping) in the Spratlys last Saturday on board a military cargo plane.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently taking the lead role in finding out things about the visit, according to the defense chief.

The Philippines, according to Teodoro, does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, making the condemnation of the controversial visit pass through general channels.

He said despite the incident, the Philippines would not permanently station troops in the area because it would violate the code of conduct among claimant countries.

He said the issue was more of a diplomatic concern than a military issue and could only be solved through diplomacy.

Esperon, for his part, said there is a need for more surveillance in the area, but the military’s present resources would not allow for such.

He said the AFP could only occupy eight islands and islets in the contested territory.

There are about 60 navy and air force personnel stationed at the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the Spratlys.

China supports RP

China, on the other hand, has expressed commitment to the Philippines in preserving peace and stability in the South China Sea and supports Manila’s call to exercise prudence and self-restraint in dealing with matters concerning the disputed island, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said yesterday.

Embassy spokesman Peng Xiubin said Beijing will continue to work with Manila to ensure peace in the disputed China Sea territories.

“Our basic policy to actually work hard with the Philippines and claimant countries to ensure peace and stability is consistent,” Peng said. “We would like to make joint efforts with the Philippine side to maintain the positive momentum of cooperation in the South China Sea.”

The Philippines deplored on Saturday the landing of Chen on Ligao Island, Kalayaan Island Group, South China Sea, saying it is “irresponsible” political posturing that is not in any way advantageous to Taiwan.

In another development, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign relations, said she will initiate the filing of the resolution that would “express the sense of the Senate” on the Taiwanese president’s visit in the disputed islands.

“I am filing a resolution tomorrow (Tuesday) expressing the concern of the Senate that the measure done by the Taiwanese president visiting the islands was ill-advised. It will only serve to exacerbate matters,” Santiago said. – With Pia Lee Brago, Christina Mendez