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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
PPA pool photos by Mark Balmores
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has called on Southeast Asian and Gulf leaders to ensure freedom of navigation and uninterrupted trade in the South China Sea and Arabian Sea, calling the key bodies of water as “lifelines” to regional and international commerce.
Speaking before fellow heads of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, Marcos underscored the strategic importance of both seas as vital arteries for global commerce.
“The South China Sea and the Arabian Sea cover vital sea lanes that serve as lifelines to regional and international commerce both in our regions,” the President said at the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit.
Amid rising tensions and maritime disputes, particularly in the South China Sea, Marcos emphasized the need for strict adherence to international law, highlighting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the cornerstone of maritime governance.
“As such, it is necessary to provide the freedom of navigation, to guarantee unimpeded commerce and to protect the marine environment through compliance with established international law, specifically UNCLOS,” he added.
The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint, with China asserting sweeping claims that overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several ASEAN countries, including the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Arabian Sea remains a critical route for energy exports from the Middle East, vulnerable to regional instability and piracy.
The President has been advocating for a rules-based international order in maritime affairs, amid its own legal victory at The Hague in 2016 which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.
China shadows Atin Ito ship
Meanwhile, just six hours into its voyage from El Nido, Palawan to Pag-asa Island, the MV Kapitan Felix Oca carrying volunteers from civil society coalition Atin Ito was shadowed and radio challenged by two China Coast Guard vessels.
The two CCG ships each sailed alongside Kapitan Felix Oca, seemingly unfazed by two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escorts, the BRP Malapascua and BRP Melchora Aquino, positioned behind and ahead of the civilian vessel.
The PCG vessels answered the radio challenges of the Chinese, telling them the Kapitan Felix Oca was sailing within Philippine territorial waters.
The CCG vessels started appearing on Kapitan Felix Oca’s radar system at around 8 a.m., prompting its skipper George dela Cruz to alert passengers.
The civilian vessel was carrying artists, volunteers and representatives of international media organizations participating in the first ever Concert at Sea for Peace.
The Chinese began shadowing the Philippine vessel some 52 nautical miles from El Nido and 20 nautical miles from Malampaya.
Dela Cruz told The STAR the Chinese vessels appeared to be keeping a safe distance.
Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan president Rafaela David said Pag-asa Island was still 249 nautical miles away when the Chinese vessels emerged.
Akbayan party-list condemned the CCG’s action, calling it a “brazen intrusion into Philippine waters.”
“The Sea Concert for Peace is a powerful symbol of unity and courage. While China wields coercion, we respond with music and solidarity. While they sow fear, we sing for freedom. The West Philippine Sea belongs to the Filipino people – not to a foreign bully,” said Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña. “What is China afraid of in a peace concert? And why are they inside our exclusive economic zone?”
He said China committed a “blatant act of bullying” when its vessels shadowed the Kapitan Felix Oca. — Jose Rodel Clapano, PNA
