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Rules of engagement in Scarborough needed: incoming envoy to China
The Philippines and China should come up with rules of engagement in Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea to prevent a possible clash between their countries ‘coast guard vessels, Philippine Ambassador-designate to China Chito Sta. Romana said on Tuesday.
The Philippine Coast Guard has resumed patrolling in Scarborough , locally known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, off Zambales province after Chinese coast guard stop barring Filipino fishermen near the Shoal.
"I think what is needed right now is the rules of engagement so that they keep proper distance from each other and they will not result in a standoff," Sta. Romana said in the Management Association of the Philippines general membership in Makati City .
The relationship of the Philippines and China soured following the standoff between the Philippine and Chinese ships in Scarborough in April 2012
The Aquino administration filed a petition before the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal questioning China 's nine-dash line. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines , invalidating China 's nine-dash line and declaring Scarborough Shoal as the traditional fishing ground of both the Filipino and the Chinese fishermen. China , which did not participate in the proceedings, rejected the PCA ruling.
The bilateral relationship of the Philippines and China has been revitalized following President Rodrigo Duterte's assumption to office. Duterte even embarked on a state visit to China last month on the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Sta. Romana, former Beijing bureau chief of US network ABC, said the Duterte administration will proceed in dealing with China based on two tracks: for non-contentious ones, such as economic, finance and culture; and for contentious issues, such as the territorial disputes.
He said the disputes "should not be at the front and center," but stressing the the PCA ruling would be the "baseline" in the talks with China .
In resolving the territorial dispute with China , Sta Romana said the Duterte administration is taking the "role of good political atmosphere, high level talks and quiet diplomacy."
"There will be more exchanges now," he said, citing regular consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs and defense of the two countries.
He said if the Philippines would talk hard with China , "there's no way to resolve" the problem.
With regard to Chinese government's pledge to extend loans to the Philippines , Sta. Romana said the Duterte administration would not repeat the "mistakes of the past," such as the controversial North Rail Project, and the national broadband network (NBN) contract with Chinese telecom firm ZTE.
The Philippines has been paying a multi-billion peso loan with China despite the cancellation of the North Rail Project.
The NBN-ZTE deal was scrapped during the Arroyo administration after alleged anomalies.
Sta. Romana said the Philippines would allow the Investment Coordinating Council of the National Economic Development Authority to deal with China to ensure that only credible Chinese contractors could participate in the bidding of Chinese-funded projects.
During Duterte's trip, China has committed to extend $9-billion worth of loans to Philippines . Celerina Monte/DMS
