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The department said in a statement that the pamphlet aims “to serve as an accessible and comprehensible resource material” on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the term Manila uses to refer to parts of the South China Sea that it claims.

The Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) helped the DFA develop the primer.

DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose explained that the pamphlet was written “to further facilitate understanding by ordinary Filipinos.”

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The following are the 8 questions the primer addresses:

1. Nasaan ang Karagatang Kanlurang Pilipinas o West Philippine Sea at bakit ito mahalaga sa akin bilang Pilipino?  (Where is the West Philippine Sea, and why does it matter to me as a Filipino?)

2. Anu-ano ang karapatang pandagat o maritime entitlements ng isang bansang tulad ng Pilipinas?  (What are the maritime entitlements of a country like the Philippines?)

3. Bakit may alitan kaugnay ng West Philippine Sea/South China Sea?  (Why is there a dispute over the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea?)

4. Ano ang inaangkin ng Pilipinas sa South China Sea at ano ang batayan nito?  (What is the Philippines claiming in the South China Sea, and on what basis?)

5. Ano ang batayan ng Tsina sa inaangkin nitong nine-dash line?
(What is China’s basis for its 9-dash line claim?)

6. Ano ang karapatan ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng batas pandaigdig na nilalabag ng Tsina? (What are the Philippines’ rights under the international law that China is violating?)

7. Mayroon bang batas pandaigdig na nakasasaklaw sa alitan ng South China Sea?  (Is there an international law that covers the South China Sea dispute?)

8. Bakit naghain ng kasong arbitrasyon ang Pilipinas laban sa Tsina?  (Why did the Philippines file an arbitration case against China?)

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The South China Sea is hotly disputed as it is a major shipping route, fishing ground, and is believed to hold vast deposits of oil and gas. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also claim parts of the strategic sea.


EXPLAINING FEATURES. A screenshot of the DFA primer explaining the maritime features the Philippines claims. Courtesy: DFA, PCDSPO

Why care about the West PH Sea?

Before going into legal arguments and jargon, the DFA took pains to explain why ordinary Filipinos should care about the dispute.

Ang West Philippine Sea: Isang Sipat stated that the West Philippine Sea holds marine resources like corals, fish and oil that affect the Philippines’ economic growth, and environmental, energy and food security.

“Isang sentro ng yamang heolohiko (geological resources) ang karagatan sa kanluran at timog-kanluran ng Pilipinas. Napagtibay na ng agham na may malaking bukal ng langis, gas, at iba pang yamang mineral ang bansa, lalo pa sa bahaging Palawan/Pampang Recto (Recto Bank) ng WPS,” the primer stated.

(The sea in the south and southwest of the Philippines is a center of geological resources. Science showed that the country has a wealth of oil, gas, and other mineral riches, especially in the area of Palawan/Recto Bank of WPS.)

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isoga uy.  mahadlok man sad ang mga wakang ani.

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It stated that the line overlaps with 80% of the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf, and those of Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

“Walang batayan sa UNCLOS ang nine-dash line ng Tsina at hindi nakatutulong sa adhikain ng mga bansa na bigyan ng solusyong pangmatagalan at makabuluhan ang sapawan sa mga sonang pandagat,” the primer stated.

(China’s 9-dash line has no basis in UNCLOS, and it does not help the objective of nations to find a durable and meaningful resolution to maritime disputes.)

 
MARITIME ENTITLEMENTS. A screenshot of the DFA primer explaining the maritime entitlements under the law of the sea treaty. Courtesy: DFA, PCDSPO

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“Patunay ang mga pagpapahayag na ito ng suporta na kahit maraming bansa ang hindi nagpapakita ng pagkiling sa mga isyung panteritoryo, sumusuporta pa rin sila sa pangkalahatang direksiyon ng polisiya ng Pilipinas sa usaping WPS.”

(These statements of support are proof that while many nations do not have a position on territorial issues, they support the general direction of the Philippine policy on the WPS.).

The DFA urged ordinary Filipinos to also support the move.

“Sa anumang alitan, pinakamainam na solusyon ang nakabase sa katuwiran, na siyang pagdedesisyunan ng isang partidong walang kinikilingan. Bago mahuli ang lahat, nagpasya ang Pilipinas na harapin sa hukuman ang Tsina, upang ipagtanggol at pangalagaan ang karapatan nito at ng mga susunod na salinlahi ng Pilipino.”

(In any argument, the best solution is one based on reason, that an impartial party will decide on. Before it’s too late, the Philippines decided to face China in court to defend and protect its rights, and the rights of the next generations of Filipinos.) – Rappler.com

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Satellite images show rapid construction on various coral reefs and rocks controlled by China within the disputed Spratly Islands, including harbors, piers, helipads, buildings and potentially at least one airstrip, experts say. Last month, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki expressed concerns that the program was an attempt to “militarize outposts on disputed land features.”

Harris said that China has created 1.5 square miles of artificial landmass in recent months.


China’s development efforts at Mischief Reef reportedly include the building of two new structures, though only one is readily identifiable from these photos. (William Colson/Center for Strategic and International Studies)

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“The construction does not target or affect anyone,” he said at a news conference. “We do not accept criticism from others when we are merely building facilities in our own yard. We have every right to do things that are lawful and justified.”

State news agency Xinhua was more forthright in rejecting U.S. criticisms last month, accusing Washington of displaying a “perverted sense of insecurity” and a “pirate-style mindset.”

While China’s attention was focused elsewhere in previous decades, the other major claimants to the Spratly Islands occupied various islands and rocks throughout the archipelago, building ports, piers, bases and airstrips there. China now appears to be rushing to underline its own claims.


Between August and November in 2014, Chinese dredgers created a land mass on Fiery Cross that spans 3,000 meters long and 200 to 300 meters wide. (William Colson/CSIS)

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China has built an artificial island on Cuarteron Reef and is also building structures on the island. (William Colson/CSIS)

“Although China’s exact intention is unclear so far, they are likely mainly designed to extend China’s power projection, by expanding, for example, its surveillance, early warning and air interception capabilities further out into the sea,” she said. “With these added capabilities, China could have a de facto ‘air defense identification zone’ in the South China Sea, even though it may not rush to declare one out of concern for the political and diplomatic fallout.”

China provoked strong U.S. criticism when it unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone over disputed waters in the East China Sea in 2013, and Secretary of State John F. Kerry was among those who warned Beijing not to do the same for the South China Sea.

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The facility on Hughes Reef has a main square building and an antiaircraft tower, according to IHS Jane’s. (William Colson/CSIS)

Chris Johnson, a senior CSIS adviser, said that China had carried out more reclamation work on the islands in the past five months than other claimants had done in the past five years. “They want to be able to operate with impunity in these waters, and they want the rest of us to accept it,” he said.

“So what does the game plan ultimately entail? Is it to be able to move around in these areas and operate, and by doing so, in a de facto manner, emphasize their claims? Or do they have intent, over time, to kick rival claimants off?” he asked. “I don’t think there’s a sense of that, but I do think their behavior suggests they are moving in one direction, and they expect the other claimants to respect their growing power.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

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