DND chief Teodoro to China: Put maritime claim to arbitration

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Monday challenged China to put its sovereignty claim to arbitration after it had warned the Philippines to bear all ''potential consequences'' amid its actions in the South China Sea.

''Kung talagang gusto nila, kung talaga siguro hindi sila natatakot na ihayag sa boung mundo ang kanilang claim, bakit hindi tayo mag-arbitrate sa ilalim ng international law para maliwanag sa lahat kung ano ang karapatan ng kahit sino? Bakit ayaw nila?'' Teodoro said.

[If they really want ... if they are not afraid to tell the world of their claim, why not go into international arbitration so it will be clear to everyone what right does one have over the matter? Why are they hesitant to do so?]

Teodoro also maintained that it is Beijing that is continuously intruding into the Philippines' territorial waters.

''Papano natin tsina-challenge ang kanilang bottomline, sila nga ang pumapasok dito sa teritoryo natin eh, ano bang bottomline 'yun, 'yan na naman 'yang bottomline na 'yan walang bansa sa buong mundo ni isa ang naniniwala diyan kung hindi ito ang paggamit ng dahas upang takutin at payukuin ang Pilipinas sa kanilang ambisyon kung ano man 'yun,'' Teodoro said.

(How are we challenging them? It is China that is intruding into our territory, what's the bottomline that they are talking about? No country in the world believes in their narrative. This is just their way of threatening the Philippines.)

''So 'yan ang reaksyon ko, bakit kayo nananakot?,'' the Defense chief added.

(That's my reaction, why are you threatening us?)

'Heavy damage'

Over the weekend, Unaizah May 4 (UM4), which was carrying supplies for Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, "sustained heavy damage,'' according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, due to the ''continued blasting of water cannons" from two China Coast Guard vessels.

Still, Philippine forces said that the rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission was successful.

With regards the latest incident, Teodoro said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. already has directives on this kind of aggression.

''Mayroon na tayong mga plano para diyan ano, so hindi tayo nagdadagdag ng utos at plano, nasa Armed Forces natin kung paanong magreact within the confines of that plan,'' Teodoro explained.

(We already have a plan, we will not add to that directive or plan. It's already in the hands of the Armed Forces on how we will react within the confines of that plan.)

Teodoro also branded as an insult the claims that other countries, such as the United States, has influenced the Philippines when it comes to territorial dispute.

''At sinasabi din na tayo ay iniimpluwensyahan ng ibang mga bansa katulad ng Estados Unidos. Ito'y napakalaking insulto sa atin mga kababayan na kinukunan ka nga ng teritoryo sinasabi ikaw pa ay sunud-sunuran sa ibang bansa,'' he said.

(Some are saying that we are influenced by the US, this is a huge insult to our countrymen as our territories are already being snatched and some are saying that we are just following what other countries will say.)

Earlier, Marcos clarified that the US has nothing to do with its decisions when it comes to issues in the West Philippine Sea, noting that the country ''acts for its own interest.''

Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased recently as the two countries traded accusations such as alleged intrusion, shadowing, blocking, and performing dangerous maneuvers.

China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Parts of the waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone have been renamed as West Philippine Sea. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News