By Jonathan G. Villaraza
Thirty-three major Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and civic organizations yesterday announced their full support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s call for diplomacy in handling the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea (SCS).
In a statement, the groups said they are endorsing the President’s desire for a peaceful resolution of the foregoing, to choose earnest dialogue, and pray for a de- escalation of tensions between the Philippines and China.
“We appeal to the governments of the Philippines and China to consider paths that will safeguard the peace, order, and safety of both countries and its peoples. Instead of strife, let us choose harmony. Instead of conflict, let us choose stability. In these tumultuous times, with rising tensions in other parts of the world, let us not risk the unity that has prevailed in our Asian region for hundreds of years,” the groups said.
“We value the friendly relations between our countries that span generations. We are connected by cultural affinities, family ties, and substantial economic partnerships,” the groups added as they noted that both countries have endured the trials of World War II and remained allies in many ways.
“Our nations have consistently showcased the manifold benefits of mutual respect. As such, we implore both sides to refrain from actions or declarations that will only fuel the already precarious situation,” they stressed
As tensions mount in the South China Sea following the incident last June 17 wherein Chinese Navy personnel intercepted a Philippine Navy supply mission to Ayungin Shoal, the groups said they could only “ God guards our hearts, and allows His peace to reside within us all, as He navigates us through these rough waters we are experiencing,” with a desire to put “forth the establishment of a neutral and diplomatic venue for discussion that will uphold mutual respect for one another.”
“In this way, we protect the sovereignty of both nations and maintain cordial relations across the Asian region,” they said as they called on the government of both countries “to uphold the principles of peace, dialogue, and cooperation, so as to preserve the economic well-being, shared prosperity, security, and freedom of the people.”
The groups who signed the statements are: Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. Overseas Chinese Alumni Association of the Philippines, Philippine Lam An Association, Inc. Filipino-Chinese Shi Shi Townmate Association, Philippine Liong Tong Hai Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc., Philippine Charitable Association Inc., Philippine Jin-Jiang General Association Inc., Filipino-Chinese Quanzhou Association Inc., Philippine Everspring Association Inc.,
Hongkong Chamber of commerce of the Philippines Inc., Filipino-Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc., Grand Family Association of the Philippines Inc., Philippine Shinlian Association, Philippine Xiamen Amity Association Inc., Philippine Zhangzhou General Chamber of Commerce Inc., Philippine Hui An Grand Association, Philippine Chinese Commerce & Industry Overseas Association Inc.,
Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation, World Fujian Youth Federation of the Philippines Inc., Filipino-Chinese Quiapo United Chamber of Commerce Inc., Philippine Chinese General Restaurant Association Inc., Philippine Hardware Foundation Inc., Anvil Business Club Inc., Guandong National Chamber of Commerce Philippine corp., Caloocan City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc.,
Fookien Chinese Commerce $ Industry Overseas Association Inc., Filipino-Chinese Amity Club Inc., Philippine Fujian General Youth's Business Association Inc., Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Association, Filipino-Chinese Youth Business Association, and the Philippine Hong Chong Grand Mason Association Inc.
Meanwhile, a ranking official of the National Security Council (NSC) ruled out any possibility of demilitarizing the SCS which is being called for by militant groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), saying such a move will only benefit China
"Does this also mean that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will also pull out its units as they called for demilitarization? It would also mean we will also pull out the BRP Sierra Madre as it is a commissioned vessel of the PN, the PN will also have to stop patrolling the WPS as they go about with their mandate)," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said in a radio interview.
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Malaya said it is actually China which is the one militarizing the SCS.
"China is the one militarizing, not the Philippines, our troops manning our occupied features are only doing garrison duties," he added as he stressed that the Philippines agreeing to demilitarize the WPS would be equivalent to giving up its territory to Beijing.
Malaya instead advised Bayan to instead call on China to leave the SCS, noting that the latter built artificial islands and military bases in WPS.
"The AFP is merely doing garrison duties, doing their jobs in accordance with international law and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, why should they pull out of the West PH Sea? The Philippine Navy is performing its mandate to secure the territorial integrity of the Philippines and protect our fishermen, why should they pull out of the WPS?," he added.
The NSC official added Bayan's call for the United States to leave the WPS is misplaced as there are no American soldiers deployed in the area.
He also said the passage of US vessels in the WPS is part of freedom of navigation operations as permitted by international law.
"If the AFP leaves the WPS and the US Navy stops its freedom of navigation operations, who does that favor? China definitely. That will embolden China more. Bayan has to be more circumspect because they are falling into the trap of the Chinese Communist Party," he added.