Escudero suggests bringing China’s West Philippine Sea aggressions to Asean

Francis “Chiz” Escudero —SENATE SMU
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday floated the possibility of bringing China’s latest aggressions in the West Philippine Sea before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
The China Coast Guard reportedly seized food and other provisions for Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on May 19.
A video of the incident was released on Wednesday by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
READ: CCG slammed for ‘stealing’ supplies for Filipino troops in West PH Sea
Article continues after this advertisementAlthough filing a case against China is always an option, Escudero said this latest harassment by China may also be elevated to the Asean.
Article continues after this advertisement“Option palagi ‘yan ng ating pamahalaan pero isang concern din na nais kong i-bring up ay sana subukan kung kakayanin ng ating DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) na dalhin ito sa Asean,” he said in an interview at the Senate.
(That has always been an option of our government, but one concern that I would like to bring up is for our DFA to try to bring this before the Asean.)
Escudero explained that as part of the Asean, the Philippines can raise the matter before the regional body, which has jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea.
READ: PH eyeing new arbitration case vs China over West PH Sea dispute
“Hindi kilalang political na asosasyon ang Asean subalit forum pa rin ito para mapag-usapan anumang nagaganap sa parteng ito ng ating mundo dito sa ating rehiyon,” he said.
(Asean may not be a well-known political association, but it still serves as a forum to discuss what is happening in this part of our world, particularly in our region.)
Still, the Senate chief called for a peaceful resolution of the conflicts between the two nations.
He also urged both parties to remain calm.
“Sana huwag patulan ng ating bansa dahil uulitin ko walang may gusto ng anumang uri ng digmaan na sumiklab dito sa rehiyon natin at lalong-lalo na kung ang magiging battle ground ay ating bansa hindi naman ibang lugar,” he said.
(I hope our country doesn’t engage because I repeat, nobody wants any kind of war to erupt in our region, especially if our country becomes the battleground.)
“So sana itong pag-init na ito ay humupa rin at madaan pa rin, pinapanalangin ko, sa diyalogo at anumang uri ng pakikipag-usap, harapan man, mataas man o mababang lebel upang sa gayon ay magkaroon ng maski papaano pagkakaunawaan sa bagay na ito at mga haharapin pa nating mga hamon sa darating na panahon,” Escudero added.
(So, I hope this rising tension subsides and is resolved through dialogue and any form of communication, whether it be face-to-face, high-level, or low-level so there can be some understanding regarding this matter and the challenges we’ll face in the future.)
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