PHL to propose 3-pronged solution to WPS dispute

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 1): PHL to propose 3-pronged solution to WPS dispute  

The Philippines on Friday bared a three-pronged approach to address the tense territorial conflict in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea).

Dubbed as the “Triple Action Plan,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will be proposed by the Philippines next week when top diplomats from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United States, Japan, China and Australia gather in Myanmar’s capital of Nay Pyi Taw for the annual ASEAN ministerial meetings.

The DFA, in a statement on Friday, described the action plan as “a concrete framework to address the escalating tensions in the South China Sea.”It contains an immediate, intermediate and final approaches to address the provocative and destabilizing activities in the region without prejudice to existing territorial claims, the DFA statement said.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims to the resource-rich waters, which is also home to one of the world’s busiest sea-lanes.

“The Philippines joins countries of the region and the international community in calling for urgent action to reduce the rising level of tension in the South China Sea,” the statement said.

“These tensions 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,” it added.

As an immediate approach, the action plan calls for a moratorium on specific activities that escalate tension in the South China Sea.

For the intermediate approach, the proposal highlights the need and call for the full and effective implementation of a non-binding non-aggression pact signed by China and the ASEAN in 2002 on the South China Sea and the expeditious conclusion of a code of conduct. ASEAN groups the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

The accord, called Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or DOC, discourages aggressive actions and bars construction of new structures in the contested region that could spark armed conflicts.

As a final approach, the DFA said the plan would underscore the need for a settlement mechanism "to bring the disputes to a final and enduring resolution anchored on international law."

“The Philippines is pursuing such a resolution through arbitration and believes that the arbitration award will clarify the maritime entitlements for all parties, which will be the basis for the settlement of maritime disputes,” it said.

“The Philippines hopes that the claimant states, 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,” the DFA statement said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=668679