Philippines to join int'l call for 'determined action' to ease South China Sea tension

From InterAksyon (Aug 1): Philippines to join int'l call for 'determined action' to ease South China Sea tension



Reuters file photo

Acknowledging that tension with China has been strained and the "level of mistrust and dangers has heightened", the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that the Philippines is ready to submit a proposal during the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation meetings this August.

The tensions, said a DFA statement, "have strained relations among countries, increased levels of mistrust, and heightened the dangers of unintended conflict in the region.

"Therefore, in order to immediately do what is right in accordance with law, the international community must take determined actions to reduce tensions as we urgently work to resolve the dispute in the South China Sea."

In the forthcoming ASEAN meetings in Nay Pyi Taw in August, the Philippines will be discussing its proposal, the Triple Action Plan (TAP), as a "concrete framework to address the escalating tensions in the South China Sea."

The TAP was first informally announced by the Philippines in late June as tensions in the waters off Vietnam escalated due to the emplacement of the Chinese Oil Rig HD981.

The Philippines hopes that states with territorial claims in the South China Sea (or West Philippine Sea), other ASEAN countries, and the ASEAN Dialogue Partners will favorably consider this proposal "as it is comprehensive, constructive and brings together various initiatives that the Philippines and other countries have been advocating on the issue of the South China Sea for the past years."

As an immediate approach, TAP calls for a moratorium on specific activities that tend to heighten tension in the South China Sea, and also for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea (DOC) and the expeditious conclusion of the Code of Conduct.

TAP also underscores the need for a settlement mechanism that will bring the disputes to a final and enduring resolution anchored on international law.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/92418/philippines-joins-intl-call-for-determined-action-to-ease-south-china-sea-tension