DFA urged to file protest vs. China over new '10-dash line' map

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a protest against China for the release of its new official “standard” map showing extended claims in the South China Sea (SCS).

In a statement, Hontiveros called China "delusional" and said the new map is "Beijing's desperate attempt to assert its lies and propaganda."

"India has already lodged a protest against China for issuing this ridiculous map. Umaasa ako na ang ating Department of Foreign Affairs ay maghahain din ng diplomatikong protesta laban dito (I am hoping that the DFA will also file a diplomatic protest against this)," she added.

A fierce critic of China's actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Hontiveros said the new map lays claim to a large part of the South China Sea, including the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone in the WPS, as well as Taiwan and India's northeastern state Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin region.

"Kung mas maraming mga bansa ang tumutol sa mapang ito, mas maitutuwid natin ang kasinungalingan ng Tsina (We can correct China's likes if more country will oppose this map)," she said.

The opposition lawmaker also recalled reports that the DFA, in June 2013, had sent a confidential note verbale to the Chinese Embassy in Manila to protest China’s publication of a "10-dash line map."

Apart from filing a protest against China, Hontiveros also suggested the DFA to coordinate with the National Resource and Mapping Authority (NAMRIA) to update a map that clearly shows the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, continental shelves, and territorial seas in the West Philippine Sea.

"Isang dekada na ang nakalipas, hindi pa rin natatauhan ang Tsina(One decade has passed but China still hasn’t learned its lesson)," Hontiveros said.

"We must push back. We must not rest until China stops her absurdity."

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said the Philippines is "not under any obligation to recognize the territorial claims of other counties."

Instead, Pimentel said it is more important to "concentrate on our own position, on the extent of our territorial claims as well as maritime zones."

Senator Francis Escudero, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee, said the Philippines should not be affected by any issuances by China, explaining that any unilateral declaration by a state has no weight nor standing in international law.

"They can issue however many maps they want to issue. It does not affect us nor does it impinge on the Arbitral Ruling in our favor. Any unilateral declaration by a State has no weight nor standing in international law," the lawmaker said.

"We should stop being affected by China’s issuances or statements. Let us not allow China to dictate the tempo by simply being reactionary. We should do what we think is right and in accordance with our national interest," he added.

For Senator Jinggoy Estrada, chairperson of the Committee on Defense, China is just taunting the Philippines with its new map.

"Nang iinis lang 'yan (They're just taunting us)," he said.

Apart from Hontiveros, the National Security Council has also asked the DFA to file a "strong diplomatic protest" if the map is officially confirmed to have been issued by China.

In response to criticisms, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin appealed to the relevant states affected by the release of the new standard map to "refrain from over-interpreting the issue."

“On August 28, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China released the 2023 edition of the standard map. It is a routine practice in China's exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law. We hope relevant sides can stay objective and calm, and refrain from over-interpreting the issue," Wengbin said in a statement shared to reporters by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. —KBK, GMA Integrated News