MikeLigalig.com

The non-issuance of the customary Joint Communiqué after the 45th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia expectedly generated considerable reactions and commentaries because it was unprecedented in ASEAN’s 45 years of existence.

However, many of those reactions/commentaries were based on erroneous information. It is therefore essential to lay down the facts.

1. Fiction: There was no Joint Communiqué because ASEAN failed to agree on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. “Never before has our regional association been as strained as it is today—and much of the blame might be put on the Philippine side.”

Fact:  ASEAN had already agreed on the key elements of the proposed Code of Conduct on the South China Sea for discussion with China. The Philippines was successful in having its suggested main elements included to give the Code the substance it requires.

The strain being felt by ASEAN is not attributable to the Philippines but it was reportedly due to the failure of the Chair to gain a consensus. Within the ASEAN framework, the Philippines needed to be resolute in giving primacy to national interest.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=52793.0

3. Fiction: The Philippines “unilaterally escalated the rhetoric on the matter of contested islets and shoals–and then invoking the entire ASEAN community as a party to the confrontation.”

Fact:  The Philippines has been approaching the issue with patience and tolerance as we endeavor to avail ourselves of all peaceful means to resolve it in accordance with the rule of law. However, the neighboring country decided to escalate the tensions resulting in the deployment of numerous vessels, as high as 96 at one point, as against our one vessel. The Philippines could not perpetually remain mute over the brazen acts of infringement on its territory and intimidation by a powerful country.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=52793.0

5. Fiction: “In the view of some of our neighbors, Manila failed to do the patient work of consensus-building necessary for the association to take an explicit and common position on a complex territorial issue.”

Fact:  Precisely mindful of ASEAN’s consensus-based decision-making process, the Philippines has been in continuous consultations with its ASEAN partners resulting in the ASEAN Senior Officials drafting of an “ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in Scarborough Shoal” on May 24. On May 25, Secretary del Rosario wrote the ASEAN Chair requesting that such Statement be referred to all ASEAN Foreign Ministers for their consideration. Several Foreign Ministers endorsed the issuance of such a Statement. One Foreign Minister, in particular, in his June 1 letter to the ASEAN Chair, stressed the “necessity for ASEAN to issue a timely statement by the Foreign Ministers (on the said issue) as our common effort to contribute to the maintenance of an environment conducive in the region which is of interest (to) all of us.”

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=52793.0

6. Fiction: Phnom Penh’s strong position against the Philippine position in ASEAN is quietly shared by Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.

Fact: As explained in item no. 5, this view of the Philippines was strongly supported by many countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam.  Even the ASEAN Secretary-General expressed support.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=52793.0

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.”

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 (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/)

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=52793.0

10. Fiction: The Philippine Foreign Minister, in disgust, had walked out of the meeting.

Fact:  Secretary del Rosario stayed to finish the meeting and was steadfast in promoting and defending the Philippine national interest.

In fact, even when his microphone went silent when he first began to speak on the Scarborough Shoal issue, Secretary del Rosario strongly articulated the Philippine position and proceeded to conclude his remarks. (emphasis mine)

http://pcdspo.gov.ph/



Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=52793.0