8. Fiction: “…our strategy is in disarray. After the embarrassing outcome of the Phnom Penh meetings, we definitely have no ASEAN card to play in the confrontational path we chose to take against China.â€
Fact: The Philippines has a three-track approach to advance its interests in the West Philippine Sea–political, diplomatic, and legal track. ASEAN is part of the political track.
The Philippines was able to gain the support of the majority of ASEAN Member States as well as that of the ASEAN Secretariat on the need to mention Scarborough Shoal in the proposed Joint Communiqué.
In all ASEAN meetings and in other fora, the Philippines has consistently advocated a peaceful and rules-based approach in resolving maritime territorial disputes in accordance with international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and has been engaging China in continuing dialogues and consultations.
We are resolute in maintaining this strategic three-track approach.
Philippines' Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, center, prepares his documents as he attends Asean-Australia Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, July 11, 2012. The Philippines is leading a push for Asean to unite to propose to China a code based on a UN law on maritime boundaries that would delineate the areas belonging to each country. AP PHOTO/HENG SINITH
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