Campus Forum on the West Philippine Sea issue held

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 5): Campus Forum on the West Philippine Sea issue held

Some 400 students of Mindanao State University (MSU) Gensan were enlightened about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) massive information advocacy campaign.

The campus activity-Gensan leg on Wednesday (Oct 28) was among the series of advocacy campaigns conducted in different provinces and cities in the Philippines to raise the level of awareness of Filipino people regarding WPS issue.

According to DFA Spokesperson Asst. Secretary Charles Jose, the WPS issue is a matter of national interest that every Filipino should be familiar of and understand.

Asec. Jose also assured students the Philippine government will protect and defend its right in a legal and peaceful way possible.

He informed students that the Philippines and China are among the signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), thus it is warranted that the two countries abide by its ruling.  

UNCLOS is signed by 166 nations.

The Philippine government, according to Asec. Jose has already initiated an arbitration case against China with the UNCLOS to settle the dispute in a legal way and also to clarify issues on the maritime rights of both nations especially China’s historical rights or the nine-dash line, which is the basis for its claim.

Asec. Jose explained that the nine-dash line is based on China’s historical rights but appears to have no basis in accordance with international law.

Under UNCLOS, all coastal states have exclusive maritime entitlements to territorial sea within 12 nautical miles; contiguous zone within 24 miles; exclusive economic zone, 200 miles; and continental shelf, also within 200 miles.

He then cited China’s “aggressive” actions as shown in its unlawful reclamation activities, incidents of encroachment within the Philippines economic zone, blockading and driving fishermen away with water cannons, among others just to assert and enforce its nine-dash line in WPS.

But Jose assured students that the Philippine government is doing everything to ensure that its territorial right over WPS is protected.

Meanwhile, Dr. Emelyn Libunao, PIA Central Office described the active participation of the students as “very highly substantive and intelligent interactions” about WPS issue.

Urging students to help defend what legitimately belongs to the Philippines, Libunao reminded them also to be calm about the issue for this is not the “sum total of the country’s relationship with China.”

She asked them to isolate the dispute on the WPS saying the Philippines and China can still maintain and nurture their good relations in terms of trade, investment, culture and even explore other possible partnerships.

Asec Jose also noted the enthusiasm of students saying they have not only shown interest but also manifested knowledge on the WPS issue.

Conveying his appreciation, Engr. Paisar Gadiaware, director of MSU-Gensan’s Office of Student Affairs said the advocacy campaign was “enlightenment to both the students and faculty.”

The campaign throughout the country is implemented by PIA in partnership with DFA.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1671446627213/campus-forum-on-the-west-philippine-sea-issue-held