Aquino appeals for ASEAN cooperation to solve West PHL Sea disputes

President Benigno Aquino III appealed for regional cooperation to address territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) at the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cambodia on Sunday.

In his statement during the summit’s plenary session, Aquino urged the ASEAN member-states to implement the body’s six-point principles on the West Philippine Sea, which aim for the “early conclusion” of a regional code of conduct on the disputed region.

“I wish to reiterate the need for maritime security and cooperation in ensuring freedom of navigation, in combating piracy, and in maintaining peace and stability in our region. The ASEAN six-point principles on the South China Sea manifest our collective vision—a vision founded on the principle of centrality,” the President said during the first day of the ASEAN summit.

“My country supports its effective implementation which will highlight the fruits of constructive dialogue, strengthen our resolve and reaffirm our respect for international law such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he added.

Earlier this year, Philippine forces engaged in a standoff with China over the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Both camps eventually pulled their ships out from the territory, but the Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest against China for the incident.

The Philippines and China are also both claiming portions of the Spratly Islands, a string of atolls and islands straddling vital shipping lanes in the West Philippine Sea.

China has been pushing for a bilateral approach to the territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea, while the Philippines is standing pat on its position to involve its regional partners, such as the ASEAN, in coming up with a multilateral solution to the issue. — BM, GMA News