Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Taiwan should “remember who its friends are,” says Manila’s former envoy to UN

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By Raïssa Robles

I would like to share with you guys my articles on the Taiwan-Philippine dispute published by South China Morning Post. This one appeared today:

Former envoy Lauro Baja tells Taiwan to ‘remember who its friends are’

Raissa Robles in Manila

Friday, 17 May 2013

A former top Philippines diplomat has urged Taiwan to “remember who its friends are”, in comments that appear to suggest Taiwan is ungrateful for Manila’s longstanding support for its political autonomy.

“Taiwan should remember we were the first ones to have these informal relations with them and we have substantial relations with them in terms of trade,” said Lauro Baja, the former Philippines ambassador to the United Nations.

Baja said he decided to speak out as a citizen because of what he perceived was Taiwan’s “overreaction” to the death of one of its fishermen on May 9 when a Philippines coastguard vessel fired at a Taiwanese fishing boat that Manila said was inside Philippine territory.

Baja said that, contrary to Taipei’s claims that the incident occurred in disputed territory, Taiwan had long recognised the area as a part of Philippine waters.

“If you recall, during the time of [President] Cory Aquino, there was some sort of corridor established for Taiwanese fishermen” to pass through that area, he said. But Baja, once foreign affairs undersecretary for policy, did not know the status of that agreement because “it came from Malacanang Palace and did not pass through the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs]”.

“With their entity being a province of China, giving sanctions and refusing to receive the representative of the president, what is that? Sometimes I feel we have these things coming to us because of our very timid diplomacy,” Baja said.

Rex Robles, a retired Philippine Navy commodore and security consultant, also pointed to the corridor agreement as proof that Taiwan recognises Philippine sovereignty over that area.

“I think everyone has forgotten about the safety corridor which Cory Aquino signed during her term. It allowed Taiwanese fishermen to pass through Philippine waters on their way to the Pacific Ocean,” he said.

Robles said if Taiwan believed the area was theirs, in the first place, “why will they sign that MOU [Memorandum of Understanding]?”

To read the rest please click on this link.

Here is my previous piece, co-bylined with Minnie Chan. Below is an excerpt where I interviewed Herman Kraft of the University of the Philippines:

US treading carefully as row between Taipei and Manila escalates

Washington keen to avoid trouble between its allies as it steps up deployment in Asia-Pacific

(excerpt)

A Filipino security expert also said the US would be careful not to anger its two allies.

Herman Kraft, executive director of the Manila-based Institute for Strategic and Development Studies said: “As far as the US is concerned, they would rather not be playing any significant role or saying anything that might put them in an awkward position with either of the two players, which are allies.”

To read the rest, please click on this link.

Here is an excerpt from today’s South China Morning Post editorial entitled:

An apology by the Philippines is only the first step

Complicated disputes can require pragmatic solutions. This has been forgotten by the Philippines in the fallout from the killing by its coastguard of a Taiwanese fisherman. Much is at stake economically, so skirting muddied waters is an inadequate response. Manila has to show remorse.

Diplomatically, that is not easy for the Philippines, which recognises Beijing, not Taipei. So a direct apology from the highest level of government would seemingly not be in keeping with protocol. That lack of recognition also makes resolving territorial waters disputes troubling; the killing was in an area both claim as being in their 200 nautical-mile off-shore exclusive economic zones. With Beijing also claiming the sea, a deal like that between Taiwan and Japan to share fishing resources is challenging.

Politics also has to be negotiated. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou’s approval rating has fallen to just 14 per cent and the row offers a chance for a turnaround. Taipei has so far recalled its envoy to Manila, frozen applications for work permits, halted economic exchanges and staged navy drills in which the Philippines is the perceived enemy.

****

Whether the fishing boat rammed the coastguard vessel as the Philippines claims does not justify so deadly a response…

To read the rest, please click on this link.

Finally, SCMP’s Taipei correspondent Lawrence Chung tries to quantify the costs of the dispute.

Taiwan curbs on the Philippines ‘to cost HK$2.3b’

Taiwan will not be left untouched if it punishes the Philippines for the death of a fisherman killed by its coastguard, an economist warns

In peso terms, the dispute could cost the Philippines P12.35 billion. But Chung wrote that according to a Taiwanese economist:

“Given there are some 10 million Filipino workers overseas, Taiwan is not among the major destinations for Filipino workers,” said senior researcher Wu Hui-lin from the Chung Hua Institution for Economic Research in Taipei. He cautioned that if Taipei sought to raise the stakes by slapping trade sanctions on Manila, it might not be in Taiwan’s favour, given it enjoyed a US$6.77 billion trade surplus with the Philippines last year.

To read the rest, please click on this link.

 

Comments

  1. Taiwan has released the logged coordinates of the fishing vessel involve in the incident. I plotted it in Google Earth and it clearly shows it is Philippine territory. It is about 167 nm from Taiwan and 62 nm from Basco. But the media spin in Taiwan is that it is within Taiwan’s EEZ which overlaps daw with Philippines EEZ. It is beyond 12 nm daw of Philippine territory. Grabe yung media spin ng Taiwan. They even bragged about Swaziland, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, condemning the incident. What does Swaziland have to do with this? This issue is turning out to be outrageous and funny rolled into one.

    • You mean this?
      Link: http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=2226667

      I could understand the moves of Taiwan trying to garner international attention but the way they started it and tried to spin the story under the helm of President Ma is very flawed bordering ridiculous.

      I mean after showing the so called “force” of a jedi, having concluded that it is a “cold blooded-murder” and laying down the punishment through sanctions BEFORE completing the final investigation.

      Anyone who followed this incident will see the flaws on how Taiwan bungled the incident. The best part for me was when President Ma showed the jedi power then afterwards was begging the Philippine authorities for a “joint investigation”.

  2. The Philippines have given refuge to the Chinese/Taiwanese refugees fleeing from famine, poverty, and persecution caused by their own leadership and civil war.

    How very ungrateful and dishonorable these Chines/Taiwanese are!!! I’ve never heard any voices denouncing these ungrateful acts from the Chinese/Taiwanese communities in the Philippines who were once refugees or are descendants of these refugees.

    • I know the feeling, gullermo, but giving in to such feelings will not make us any better than the taiwanese that viciously attacked our ofws working in taiwan. we are not that nefarious and shallow minded. those you called ungrateful and dishonorable chinese and taiwanese in our country are not really involved in the incident at sea. they’re in businesses that employ and give jobs to our people, they pay income tax and support community developmen as well. they’re probably hurting too.

      • Our OFWs also pay their due income taxes and supports community development in the country they work in. It should be noted that by keeping quiet about the Chinese/Taiwanese bullying, the ungrateful and dishonorable Chinese/Taiwanese in the Philippines, would be looked at with complete disdain the longer they don’t voice their opinion against this barbaric bullying of the Philippines.

        It also should be noted that not all Chinese/Taiwanese in the Philippines employ and provide jobs in the Philippines, it should be mentioned or noted that they also comprise of people that are into white slavery, manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs, and smuggling. They simply don’t respect laws of other nations!

      • No problem, just looking after my beloved country.

        By the way if Pnoy is a sly and greedy president he could have easily get a admission that Taiwan is illegally occupying islands/reefs in spratly.

        Notice how adamant President Ma and Foreign Minister David Lin in stating that they also have the right in balintang channel due to EEZ’s (200nm). If they will pursue this course then the Philippines should also refute and ask them about their claims in spratly islands since its beyond their EEZ.

        Hindi nila pwedeng gamitin ang EEZ kung beneficial lang sa kanila and disregard it kung detrimental sa claim nila.

        Bakit kaya hindi na lang hamunin ni Pnoy ang Taiwan regarding the case filed in ITLOS since ayaw naman ng China. Pero ang claims at evidence ng China at Taiwan ay iisa, the 9 dash theory.

        • ever the diplomat, I think, our prez is not the challenging type. he’s more into giving chance for prez ma to save face. our prez already have enough enemies surrounding him, and prez ma might be useful in the future.

        • Well President Ma launched the first salvo when he uttered the words “Cold Blooded-Murder”. Now that their media is turning the incident into a “hate” initiative by bringing the HK tourist bus incident, the Taiwanese deportation to mainland and other cases where in PCG caught taiwanese fishermen.

          Its like a pancake. They are selling it now while it is hot plus they even add their own flavor to it since that’s what the customer wants.

          A good question will be how will President Ma try to rebuild the burning bridge after all this animosity?

        • prez ma can start by apologizing. it’s not hard to do. then ensure the safety our ofws working there. not hard to do too. prez ma can put emotions aside and start talking about facts of the incident. still not hard to do too. here’s hoping prez ma got the wisdom of confucius and will not wait to long.

    • this administration is already buying ships as fast as it can — something which all previous administrations from (Cory, Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo) were unable or unwilling to do. Apart from the antique US coastguard cutters, we are shopping for two respectable frigates. Govt was thinking of getting the Italian Maestrale class, but dropped it as they are also secondhand. Maybe we’ll get brand new Korean missile frigates. Remember what the Arroyo government’s position was on the Spratlys? In effect it said it was no use defending them?

      • erstwhile, it would be very difficult to shame our govt officials for their lack of foresight. manhid na yata sila and shame might not penetrate. as well, naming and shaming them in public might get opposite result. if they lose face, they might become resentlful and sabotage efforts making things worse for us. noticed how many bloggers and journalists wrote very negative things about our country as if being negative is the only thing they knew? they bring us down on our knees, and down again. if they want to rally us to a cause, they’re doing it the wrong way. I’m glad raissa and alan are not the sort of journalists.

        many are waking up though and realizing the destination our country is heading, are changing course. and it’s not because they’ve been bludgeoned and shamed, but because they were given hard facts, educated and brought up to par. the hard wired ones too. shame them, and they’ll developed new skin, tougher skin. but tell them, educate them, and we might just break through. they might realize things are changing and it’s better to get involved, positively, cooperatively. here’s to a better future, cheers.

    • I think, shaming people does not always work, it might even breed resentment if shaming is done publicly and they lose face. they might end up sabotaging govt’s efforts and make things worse.

      there are many ways of getting people’s cooperation, we can start by making them understand and realized what’s at stake. over the years our people have lost pride in themselves. noticed how many pinoy bloggers and journalists are writing so many negative things about our country? they’re bringing us down on our knees, and down again, and down still. maybe that’s the only thing they know.

      but many are waking up and realizing where our country is headed, are changing course. kudos to you, raissa, and alan too.

      • aba, nakadoble yata ako. I was denied access 2X, tapos, eto pala. I was put in queque and my two entries above of which 38.3 is one got through. sorry to be such a prick.

  5. I know most of you guys wont be shock by this recent news:
    http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=2226213

    Another taiwanese fishing boat caught in a Japanese Island. Iba pa ito dun sa nangyari nuong Mar 14, 2013 sa Taketomi Island.

    Link: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/05/15/2003562341

    Kung Japan ang nakahuli sa mga taiwanese, ang tawag is “fine”. Pero kapag Pinoy ang nakahuli ang tawag nila is “bribery or extortion.”

    May ibat iba pang allegation sa coast guard natin, refer to the link of comment #18

    • i hope Pnoy will rethink his decision regarding the “fisheries agreement”.

      http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/309346/news/nation/phl-open-to-fisheries-pact-after-resolving-diplomatic-row-with-taiwan

      A good example is the most recent one between Taiwan and Japan. Notice before it was only in Senkaku island, after the pact they moved closer to other Japanese islands.

      It will also be unfair for our local fisherman because their boat can withstand larger waves and can travel farther at sea. Kung ngayon pa nga lang hirap na mangisda ang mga kababayan natin tulad sa mga mangingisda sa masinloc zambales na ka kumpetensya ang mga intsik at navy nila, ano pa kaya pag ginawa ng legal yan ng ating mga pinuno at mambabatas.

      Parang mining din lang yan na mahirap na ma-regulate since wala pang kakayahan ang ating bansa. Hindi sa paninira pero ang katotohanan is mangilan ngilan palang ang coast guard boats ng pilipinas na kayang magpatupad ng ating batas sa karagatan.

      Hindi kayang bantayan ni Del PIlar at ang parating na si Alcaraz ang buong bansa. I suggest a better alternative that the government make a shipyard controlled by GOCC shipbuilding for a our local fisherman, navy, coast guard.

      Isang kumpanya that will build ships for our fishermen so they can compete equally with our neighbors at para na rin sa ating mga navy at coast guard. Ang maganda pa dito is that ang pera ay hindi lalabas ng bansa since ang mga trabahador ay Pinoy.

    • i hope Pnoy will rethink his decision regarding the “fisheries agreement”.
      http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/309346/news/nation/phl-open-to-fisheries-pact-after-resolving-diplomatic-row-with-taiwan

      A good example is the most recent one between Taiwan and Japan. Notice before it was only in Senkaku island, after the pact they moved closer to other Japanese islands.

      It will also be unfair for our local fishermen because their boat can withstand larger waves and can travel farther at sea. Even their fishing techniques are different so the quantity will be surely different. Kung ngayon pa nga lang hirap na ang mga kababayan natin tulad sa mga mangingisda sa masinloc zambales na ka kumpetensya ang mga intsik at navy nila, ano pa kaya pag ginawa ng legal yan ng ating mga pinuno at mambabatas.

      Parang mining din lang yan na mahirap na ma-regulate at mapatupad. Hindi sa paninira pero ang katotohanan is mangilan ngilan palang ang coast guard boats ng Pilipinas na kayang magpatupad ng ating batas sa karagatan.

      Hindi kayang bantayan ni Del Pilar at ang parating na si Alcaraz ang buong bansa. I suggest a better alternative that the government make a shipyard controlled by GOCC shipbuilding for a our local fisherman, navy, coast guard.

      Isang kumpanya that will build ships for our fishermen so they can compete equally with our neighbors at para na rin sa ating mga navy at coast guard. Ang maganda pa dito is that ang pera ay hindi lalabas ng bansa since ang mga trabahador ay Pinoy.

  6. I encourage everyone to read and analyze the illustration being distributed by Taiwanese embassy.

    http://www.taiwanembassy.org/public/Data/352010363871.pdf

    On the 2nd page right hand corner you will see that Taiwan’s claim of 200 NM under UNCLOS is very disturbing because even Pagudpud is now being claimed as shown in their illustration.

    I believe Pnoy should stand firm and protect our territory/sovereignty because in reality the incident happened inside the Philippines. Here is a link that is more accurate with coordinates using google earth.

    http://i.imm.io/16xeJ.jpeg

    https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=%2B19%C2%B058‘,+%2B122%C2%B0+58’&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46751780,d.cGE&biw=1360&bih=653&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

    • The author’s underlying assumption here is that the waters are overlapping.

      • Their might fizzled out, caputs.

        Kaya might nga. Nagbaka sakali.

        What a dill or dRill, goodbye to millions. At least their territorial fish will have a plane as as their OK Coral habitat.

        • Perhaps Taiwan is practicing so it can threaten us with a deadly crashing malfunctioning airplanes attack

        • mabuti na lang, monitoring lang ang pinas navy at a distance. otherwise, they may blame the pinoys for firing an airgun at their planes.

          i wonder if the roaming satellite of ??? above their skyline did send a signal to trigger a malfunction.

          ‘practicing … deadly crashing … airplanes attack’? something they learned from the japanese kamikaze WWII pilots? perhaps they want to perfect it first.

        • hah, ha ha 3x

          wait till they see the F-35, a dud. one of the most, if not, expensive fighter aircraft ever built.

        • chop, chop and sell it to the chinese (mainland) for a fortune.

          juk onlee us intelligencias.

        • That will be the PH-1 AsPin…

          Not just a decent one but tested to withstand the fiercest dogfight.

        • kuro kuro lang @baycas.

          u sure u got d spelling right? baka PH _ HasBin (short for been)?

          heh, he he

        • Raïssa

          kids’ stuff. you know, about planes. wingggg…

          —

          how many bullet holes was it again? or how many holes can a bullet ricochet inside … it’s good the kettle was missed.

          he hee hee

        • @Alan,

          Enemies may not stand a chance against the Azkal. However, biological warfare is banned.

    • that is why twn gov is not accepting the apology and compensation to the family kasi gusto nila e compensate din yung pagka crash ng F-16 and mirage nila.

  10. Will our sovereignty be in jeopardy if we allow the taiwanese meddle in the investigation?
    http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/309178/news/nation/phl-officials-hint-at-info-sharing-with-taiwan-on-probe-of-may-9-incident

    “Hindi advisable magkaroon ng joint probe. Masalimuot na usapin ‘yan because it touches on issues of sovereignty. May foreign entity na pakikialaman tayo sa ating investigation kasi may sarili tayong justice system,” -De Lima said

    Kung totoo ang sinasabi ni De Lima (since i’m not a lawyer) wag na lang.

      • Kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung sakaling pauwiin na naman ni Sec. De Lima yung mga Taiwanese investigators at akalain ng mga taiwanese people na nagsisinungaling or nag “flip-flop” ang Philippine Authority regarding sa pinagusapan ng dalawang bansa.

  11. Reposting this reaction from an external observer:

    “My 2c: I can’t think of any reason why a Philippine ship would simply fire on a Taiwanese ship out of the blue. Violent naval behavior is completely out of character for the Philippines, which is too weak to afford provoking people left and right. And no pressure from other states, such as China exists in this case. It makes no sense unless the crew had some loose cannons (to use a pun).

    If there were loose cannons aboard, the proper way to go about this, regardless of where the shooting happened, would be to investigate the situation, not escalate it into a diplomatic crisis, which really helps neither country (Taiwan may need a friend down there some day). If it is compensation that is needed, surely a nice payoff to one fisherman’s family could be attained in quiet diplomacy, even with a poor country like the Philippines. The Philippines might even apologize voluntarily.

    But Ma can’t do the smart thing because all his royal silliness has to go on is his crappy foreign policy. This is one more reason why I frequently shake my head at Taiwan. It is such a great place, but it is not one of the world’s repositories of logical thinking.”