PNoy SONA: We'll protect West PHL Sea territories

(Updated 7:55 p.m.) — President Benigno Aquino III on Monday asserted the Philippines’ claim over the Kalayaan islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), saying that “We do not wish to increase tensions with anyone, but we must let the world know that we are ready to protect what is ours." “Now, our message to the world is clear: What is ours is ours; setting foot on Recto Bank is no different from setting foot on Recto Avenue," Aquino said. Recto Bank (also called Reed Bank) is only 80 nautical miles off Palawan but was where the Philippine Navy dismantled markers left by Chinese in a recent incursion this year. Recto Avenue, on the other hand, is a major street in Manila. Aquino stressed in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) that enhanced security also enhances national pride, adding that the time when the Philippines couldn’t respond to threats in its own backyard is over. “At times I wonder if the stories about some of our past stand-offs are true — that when cannons were aimed at our Marines, they could only reciprocate by cutting down a coconut tree, painting it black, and aiming it back," he said. The Armed Forces will be getting more modern equipment after good governance resulted in government obtaining more funds, the President said. He also said the Philippine government is studying the possibility of elevating the dispute in the West Philippine Sea to the UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea “to make certain that all involved nations approach the dispute with calm and forbearance." Modern military equipment The President pointed out that the Philippine Navy’s first Hamilton-class cutter is already on its way from California, adding that the government could in the future acquire more vessels, and even helicopters, patrol crafts, and weapons to be bought in bulk to get a significant discount. Accompanying Aquino’s SONA was a more comprehensive Technical Report which said the acquisition of the new warship – now the country’s largest – was part of efforts to “develop the Philippines’ naval, air, and ground interdiction assets in order to assure the territorial integrity and protection of Philippine waters and resources, particularly in light of energy exploration efforts in Sulu and Palawan." The Technical Report also said that “a Joint Maritime Force (Sea-Air) is being restructured to carry out missions in the West Philippines Sea to protect vital resources and sea exploration activities. At the same time, initiatives are being made to revive the Air Defense Organization focused on the airspace of priority areas in western Philippines." It said since Aquino assumed office last year, the Armed Forces have requisitioned for the Army two Night Fighting System projects, Watercraft (Light Support), 1-¼ ton Troop Carrier/Cargo Trucks and 2-½ ton Troop Carrier/Cargo Trucks; and for the Navy, 76-mm Ammunition, Completion of Coast Watch Stations, NFS and Hydrographic Equipment. Zone of Peace in the Spratlys It said peace and stability in the disputed area is “of paramount concern to the Philippines and that the full implementation of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Code of Conduct on the West Philippine Sea is imperative." It reiterated the Philippines’ proposed specific framework, called the Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation, which seeks to segregate first the disputed portions of the Spratlys from the undisputed waters of the West Philippine Sea in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). After the segregation, claimant countries could engage in joint cooperation, such as the development or establishment of Marine Peace Parks in the disputed Spratlys. The Technical Report said that should other claimant states not accept this “win-win approach," then the Philippine Foreign Affairs Department would continue exploring the possibility of bringing the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. “These actions are being undertaken to protect the Philippines’ strategic economic and political interests in the area and demonstrate adherence to international law," it said. The Kalayaan Group of Islands comprises that part of the Spratlys that the Philippines claims as its own.— With a report by Kimberly Tan/MRT/RSJ/VS, GMA News