ASEAN airs concern over WPS tensions

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said it “follows with concern” on the recent development in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) amid the rising tensions in the region.

This came as the Philippines responded to China’s accusation that it was encroaching on Beijing’s territory and as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed the need for a “paradigm shift” on how the country is approaching the WPS issue.

“We closely follow with concern the recent developments in the South China Sea that may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region,” ASEAN said in a statement.

“We affirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, safety, security, stability, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the maritime sphere of Southeast Asia, particularly the South China Sea,” it added.

ASEAN also underscored the “need to restore” and “enhance” mutual trust and confidence and “exercise self-restraint” in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes following the principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

‘Increased tensions’

Marcos earlier said that tensions in the West Philippine Sea have “increased rather than diminished” in recent months, warning that a “more assertive China” posed a “real challenge” to Asian neighbors.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to say that tensions have increased rather than diminished for the past months or the past year,” Marcos said in an interview with Japanese media.

On December 9, the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia used water cannons against the civilian agency Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels during a regular humanitarian and support mission providing subsidies and grocery packs to over 30 Filipino fishing vessels near Bajo de Masinloc.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said Beijing’s claims to the West Philippine Sea had no legal basis.

‘Peaceful dialogue’

ASEAN also reiterated the importance of holding peaceful dialogues between China and the United States (US) in Beijing and the meeting between US President Joe Biden and China President Xi Jinping in California.

“We hope that such dialogues will continue to further ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen stability and cooperation in the region’s maritime sphere,” ASEAN said.

“We affirm our unity and solidarity and our shared commitment to maintaining and further strengthening stability in our maritime sphere to bring about overall peace, security, stability, and prosperity in our region.” 

Down with US-China imperialism

Progressive groups have since averred that the tension between the Philippines and China might escalate due to the tension put up by the United States given its intensified joint-military exercises and heightened military bases through Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

“Nananatiling nangangayupapa ang bansang Pilipinas sa magkaribal na bansang US at Tsina kung saan ang mamamayang Pilipino ang papasan sa panahong aabot ito sa tensyon at posibleng gera. Mamamayang Pilipino ang sadyang maiipit sa ginagawa ng rehimeng Marcos-Duterte,” said League of Filipino Students NCR.

The EDCA was signed back in 2014, adding to the “joint treaties” between the US and the Philippines such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in 1998, the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in 1951, and the Mutual Logistics Service Agreement (MLSA).

According to LFS NCR, these exercises are the planned joint patrols of the US, Australia, and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

It was also in April when Marcos Jr. administration approved the construction of four new EDCA bases in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Palawan.