PH, Indonesia to present solution to West Philippine Sea row

From InterAksyon (Jul 17): PH, Indonesia to present solution to West Philippine Sea row

The Philippines and Indonesia are working on a "proposal" that may resolve the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosarion said on Thursday.

Del Rosario declined to detail the proposal, but said both he and his Indonesian counterpart intend to present this during the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation Foreign Minister meeting once they get the consensus of the the 10-member bloc.

"I just came from Jakarta and met with the Foreign Minister Marty Natelagawa and we discussed the developments following the visit of (Indonesian President Susilo Bambang) Yudhono in Philippines," del Rosario said.

He did not confirm, though, whether the proposal is meant to deescalate tension in the disputed sea or to prevent China from invading all islands and features of the South China Sea where countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan has overlapping claims.

Del Rosario assured that once the details of the proposal are complete, he will be ready to discuss them before the public.

"We ought to, maybe, considering getting together and freezing all activities that escalates tension. Let's call for a moratorium in terms of activities that escalate tension," del Rosario said in an interview in June.

Del Rosario said that, given the latest incidents in the region, including the establishment of airstrips and schools by China and its reclamation of five reefs, the proposed moratorium is "reasonable".

The DFA spokesman Charles Jose also confirmed last June that the department is now preparing the groundwork for the inclusion of the moratorium on Chinese activities in the disputed sea.

Meanwhile, after del Rosario's meeting with Natelagawa, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow is set to arrive on Friday morning, also for a bilateral meeting.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/91410/ph-indonesia-to-present-solution-to-west-philippine-sea-row