DFA: Stronger sea code to prevent 'repeat of Mischief Reef'

DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya on Thursday reiterated calls for a “more binding Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," even as Beijing belied reports of the “incursion of Chinese ships" in the disputed Spratly Islands. “This is not the first time that China violated the DOC, that’s why we need to move to a more binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea," said Malaya. In 2002, China had signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) to ensure peace and stability in the disputed region. “We don’t want a repeat of the Mischief reef [incident] here," added Malaya, referring to the 1999 discovery of Chinese structures built on that reef in the Spratlys which Manila complained were military structures but Beijing claimed to be “shelters for fishermen." The DOC reaffirms commitments under the UN Convention on the Laws of Seas (UNCLOS) urging claimant countries “to exercise self restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features." Latest violation China’s latest violation involved the presence of coastal marine surveillance ships in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef-Amy Douglas Bank in the West Philippine Sea. This prompted the government to issue a note verbale to the Chinese embassy in Manila last Wednesday. But the Chinese embassy explained that: “It’s only China’s marine research ship conducting normal maritime research activities on the South China Sea." The Spratly Islands are a group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea — believed to be rich in oil and natural gas resources — which are the subject of territorial dispute among the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan. The Amy Douglas Bank is located southwest of Reed Bank and east of Patag Island, well within the Philippines' 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone. China’s continued presence China’s increased presence and activities in the Spratlys this year began on February 25 when Chinese military vessels reportedly fired shots at Philippine fishing vessels at Jackson Atoll, 140 nautical miles from Palawan. The Philippines also protested last March when Chinese Navy patrol boats harassed a Philippine-sanctioned oil exploration vessel at the Reed Bank, which is part of Palawan province and not of the Spratlys. Last May, MIG fighter jets believed to be from China allegedly harassed Philippine Air Force (PAF) reconnaissance aircraft patrolling over Reed Bank. But a week after the Reed Bank aircraft incident, Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie — during a visit to Manila — told Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that China does not have MIGs. The Philippine government is now pushing for two legislative measures to counter China’s increased presence and activities in the Spratlys that violate the existing China-Asean DOC. The House of Representatives is tackling the Philippine Maritime Zones bill to delineate the country’s maritime zones, while the Senate is working on the Archipelagic Sea Lanes bill. — MRT/VS, GMA News