Manila Philippines — Senate President Chiz Escudero is encouraging the government to consider submitting the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
According to Escudero, the government has the option to raise the dispute in any forum and publish the status of the Philippines in the contested territory.
“Option palagi ‘yan ng ating pamahalaan pero isang concern din na nais kong i-bring up ay sana subukan kung kakayanin ng ating DFA na dalhin ito sa ASEAN,” Escudero said in an interview, Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
He said the Philippines is a member of ASEAN and this organization is also part of the West Philippine Sea.
Just this week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) released the video showing how the Chinese Coast Guard chased and seized the food supplies of Filipinos destined for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
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Senator JV Ejercito expressed his condemnation of what he said was China’s inhumane actions.
According to the Senator, China should give respect to the Philippines in the contested territory to avoid an increase in tension and maintain peace and stability in the region.
“I reiterate that China must respect Philippine’s maritime activities in the area and refrain from engaging in actions that escalate tensions and jeopardize peace and stability in the region,” Ejercito insisted in a statement.
However, Escudero fears that it is possible to increase the tension between Beijing and Manila and the filing of a complaint by the Philippines in ASEAN.
“Ang aking hiling at panalangin ay manatiling mahinahon ang magkabilang panig: ang ating bansa at ang bansang Tsina anuman ang uri ng oprensibang ginagawa nila tulad ng pag-agaw,” Escudeo added.
“So sana itong pag-init na ito ay humupa rin at madaan pa rin, pinapanalangin ko sa diyalogo at anumang uri ng pakikipag-usap, harapan man, mataas man o mababang lebel upang sa gayon ay magkaroon ng maski papano pagkakaunawaan sa bagay na ito at mga haharapin pa nating mga hamon sa darating na panahon,’ he reiterates.