Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Beijing tells Manila – let’s talk, but scrap tribunal ruling on South China Sea

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By Raïssa Robles

China has spoken.

It will not do anything drastic just yet.

It wants to sit down and talk with the Philippines.

But on one condition, according to Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin during his briefing yesterday: “China will not join such negotiations if they are based on the ruling.” He was referring to the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling which scrapped China’s Nine Dash Line.

From Vice Foreign Minister Liu’s statements, it was obvious that China had a soft spot for President Rodrigo Duterte. Liu even compared Duterte to his predecessor, Liu was quoted by South China Morning Post as saying that Duterte offered new hope to repair relations between the two nations. As for his predecessor, Liu said, ““We don’t understand the rationale of [former Philippine president] Benigno Aquino initiating the ruling. But the leadership transition has offered a good chance for China and the Philippines to improve relations.”

It’s now President Duterte’s turn to say something.

To read the entire SCMP story, pls. click on this link.

Comments

  1. Sadyang maraming bulag sa site na ito or nagbulagbulagan?

    Kahit dati pa, nandyan na ang mga military vessels na yan.

    But what events escalated things in the area?

    1. Declaration or renaming of the area to “west Philippine Sea”

    2. Allowing a mining company exploratory rights in the area.

    At sinong kaibigan ni BS Aquino ang may shares daw sa mining company na to?

    Research naman…..

    A lot of us Filipinos were jubilant about the ruling, even Pnoy was gloating in his “accomplishment”, when actually, all he did is disturb a hornet’s nest and ended up with a lot more than he can eat on his plate.

    Unfortunately, it’s Digong’s plate now.

    I can hear him say: ” o ayan, bahala ka na dyan” (sabay talikod at ubo)

      • Nag ID’d siya na isa na siya na bulag sa site na ito. . .

        HA HA HA Diyos koooo nakakatawaaawa. . .

        • oy, blarney, may soft spot daw ang mga chinese kay duterte, e kung magkaibigan lang naman sila, e dapat makiusap si digong sa mga chinese at sabihing pahintulutang mangisda ang mga fishermen natin, hwag hinahabol at pinapaaslis. gets mo?

      • Ako matagal nang bulag o mababaw lang ang kaisipan. Sabi mo dati nang nariyan ang mga vessels na yan. Vessels ba ng China? Siguro nong 2012 lang yan. Noong maisipan na ng China na kontrolin ang Scarborough Shoal at pigilan ang mga mangingisdang Pilipino na mangisda upang ipaalam sa mundo na sila ang may ari ng lahat ng nasa loob ng 9-dash line. Kailan ba nagsimulang mangyari ito? Mag-research ka naman at ipakita mo sa amin ang resulta ng research mo. Madali kasing magsalita na marami sa site na ito ang nagbubulagbulagan.

        Linawin mo ang aming isipan at patunayan nga na marami sa amin ang nagbubulagbulagan. Karamihan rito ang inuuna ang kapakanan ng bayan at hindi ang rehiyong aming pinagmulan o politikong aming napupusuan.

        • Karamihan rito ang inuuna ang kapakanan ng bayan at hindi ang rehiyong aming pinagmulan o politikong aming napupusuan.

          Woshoooo…. Padang totoo ah.

          Alam ko marami magagaling dito sa pagdugtong ng chronology of events, kaya research nyo na!

          Malay nyo, mali pala pagka-intindi ko at willing ako maliwanagan :-)

        • Blarney, noong umalis ang mga Amerikano noong 1992 ay nagsimula nang pumorma ang mga Intsik dyan sa pinagtatalunang isla. Matagal na, di ba? Paunti-unti ang pagtatayo ng mga Intsik ng istruktura dyan noong panahon ni Ramos. Wala tayong magawa dahil mahirap na bansa tayo at walang barkong pandigma. Wala na ang mga Amerikano kaya naisagawa na ng mga Intsik ang matagal na nilang plano dyan upang sa hinaharap ay makapasok na sila sa Pacific Ocean ng malaya at makontrol ang sea lanes kung saan ay $5T ang katumbas na negosyo na dumadaan dyan kada taon.

          Ang laki di ba? Imagine mo nga naman na makontrol ng Intsik yan.

          Panahon ni GMA ay doon na nagkabentahan. Bulok pa rin ang mga kagamitang militar ng Pilinas kahit 9 years na naging pangulo si GMA. Puro nakawan at involve pa nga ang ZTE na isang kumpanyang Intsik. Naging mas malaya naman ang pagtatayo ng Intsik sa mga isla at tayo panay lang ang protesta pero hanggang ganon lang dahil ang lakas kumita ni GMA mula sa mga Intsik kaya yun ang totoong nagbulag-bulagan. Hindi natin mapahinto dahil wala naman tayong kakayahan. Malakas ang militar ng Intsik at tayo puro kalawang na barko na panahon pa ng 60s.

          Mabuti na lang at nagsampa na ng kaso si PNoy sa UN PCA upang maresolba yan. Habang dinidinig ang kaso ay nagpalakas na rin tayo ng kagamitang militar. Hindi pa rin naman ganoon kalakas pero nasimulan na at kahit papaano ay may pang patrolya na tayo na hindi bulok dahil brand new ang iba at may paparating pa.

          The fact na malinaw na ang desisyon ng UN PCA ay isang panalo para sa aitng bansa. Doon dapat makisaya ka at si PNoy lang ang naglakas ng loob na gumawa noon dahil takot ang ibang bansa sa magalit sa kanila ang Tsina. Nakatali ang kamay ni Duterte sa mga pwede nyang maging hakbang dyan dahil ipipilit ng US na ipatupad ang desisyon ng PCA about the freedom of navigation kuno pero ang totoo ay hindi nila mapapayagan ang mga Intsik dahil at risk ang national security nila.

      • O, akala ko kayo ang magagaling dito sa site na to, na di alam ni Duterte ang gagawin pag lumabas ang ruling (based dun sa isa mong thread), di ba yan din tanong ko?

    • I guess you’re not a Filipino that ‘s the reason why you can share such a thought. Even if you are, what do you propose the Philippine government should do if another country claims all by themselves outskirts of seas that are clearly preposterous if not insane?

  2. Free for all?
    If Ph engages on bilateral talks with China, Duterte tippy toes, not wanting to offend them, and has consequently agreed to give China more than the Philippines should, which can potentially encroach on the interest of the other countries/stakeholders–would it be possible that we will be offending and creating I’ll will with our neighbours/allies?

    Would these other allies launch aggressive stance against us? Baka away-away na rin. Other countries might think that Kaya nila tayong banggain. Will China be defending us then? Or, will China promote a divisive strategy – divide and conquer to promote its own interests.

    Just wondering –what is it with FVR and Duterte that China likes them. And they don’t like Aquino?

    On another note, while Duterte promotes Federalism, he moves forward with his team suggesting initiatives as if he owns the provinces…e.g. Busuanga business venture with foreigners. Mukhang Balak pa nilang tambakan ang Palawan ng ibang unwanted drug-related criminals.

  3. War is not an option.
    Kung hindi ka handang mamatay, wag kang mag presidente!
    Doublespeak.
    Sakay ako ng jetski, itanim ko ang watawat sa spratly / scarborough.

    Tapos lahat sila restraint. Wag muna mangisda sa scarborough. Hanap na lang kayo nng ibang pangkabuhayan. Mag farming kayo.

    busuanga being offerred to be leased for at least 100 hundreds to foreign rich countries, will build the business hub free for 5 years in lease, on the 6th year start of rental, 5% of their profit.
    They build their own seaport, airport, autonomy on running their business, should not follow tax code of the Phil. But wait, sovereignty shall reside to the Phil. And if the news to be believed, maraming high hopes, palakpakan sa idea.
    Filipinos will be hired, menial jobs probably.

    are U.S. bases allowed? Or only China so they can stop building those man made islands, instead just come in right in.
    sabah was and still is being rented by the malaysian govt to the family of Princess Kiram? Diba? They cannot even eject them.

    Ayan na, unti unti ng “binebenta” ang mga isla. Or is it probinsya na mismo?

    Does anybody questioning these cabinets appointed about divesting of their businesses?
    Parang channel 7 gma lng yata ang may boses ah.

    • after a 100yrs lease, we will be left with nothing but basura. magsilayasan yong mga dayuhan na walang pakialam kung yong lupa na iniwan nila can be rehabilitated. above and below the soil will be subjected to the whims and greed of the those leasing, our minerals mined beyond redemption, high rise blgs blocking out the sun, the air polluted. like in china where there is perpetual smog and people can barely see clear blue sky. most wear face mask dahil air quality is dangerous to health, air pollutants have to be filtered out.

      and there is no guarantee that after the 100yr lease is over, land will be returned to us. what if china will not honor the lease agreement and will not leave? the british were honourable and duly vacate hongkong after 100yrs lease from china was over. the chinese are not british and could well extend their stay and make our country a province of china, theirs to plunder.

      duterte should not be blinded by the lure of easy money, or hankering after the railroad the chinese promised to build him. we can build the railroad, we have good credit rating and we can borrow money from imf, international monetary fund, and develop our own country, build our own railroad. the interest imf will be charging is affordable and not high.

      hwag tamad, nation building is hard work, at kung ipapaubaya ni duterte ang nation building dahil it’s too hard basket, too punishing for his aging mind and body to cope, then he should let capable pinoys do it. the more our own people do nation building the more experienced they become and the better the results.

      we should not believe that only dayuhans, china specially, have all the capital, the ingenuity and the knowhow. we have the capital, we just don’t know it yet, unless we look around and see for ourselves the riches that we already have, but reluctant to use. and we should not be afraid to make mistakes too. mistakes can be corrected, wrongs can be righted, and we are not afraid of hard labor.

  4. lighter side: umuwi si presdut ng davao noong 14 july bandang 9:30 ng gabi sakay ng private JET SKI este private jet plane pala.

    mula davao mag je jet- ski na ba sya papuntang wps para itanim ang bandila ng pilipinas? kailangan nya ng pumunta because pinoy fishermen still blocked from Scarborough Shoal

      • baka he will jet ski to enjoy rambo rock while visitng “albert rock” and “tony rock” dapat may arko na mayroong nakasulat na WELCOME PNOY ROCK upon entering wps

        mel, very informative and educational even sa mga 11 yrs. old kung mga pamangkin. thank you once again

        • buti pa si chiara sembrano, journalist, at yong mga pinoy fishermen, mas matapang sila kay digong. pumalaot sa karagatan at hinarap ang chinese coastguard. habang si digong ay nagtago sa davao. he spends too much time traveling to and from davao and spend less time governing the country. part time president, hindi hands on. hands off pala.

          kung si digong sana ang kasama nina chiara at mga fishermen, and together with contingent of international media, chinese coastguard would have been circumspect in their approach. with digong asking chinese coastguard if they knew the recent ruling of the tribunal, and if not he ought to give them a copy for them to peruse, and then, turn around and back to our shore. to the cheers of pinoys, happy to see their president engaged in the affairs of the state.

        • Paging Mang Gani,

          It looks like many fishermen are getting upset why they continue to be chased away from the blessed sea for their food and income.

          Eto na ang sabi ni Mang Dencio: ;) Naka-social media pa.

          Philippines Defense Forces Forum
          15 hrs ·

          ‪#‎PDFFQuoteOfTheDay‬

          “Pwe! Walang kwentang presidente! Sising sisi kami binoto namin siya, bumilib kasi kami sa debate ang tapang tapang niya noon eh ngayon tayo na ang nanalo tahimik pa sa piping taklobo..tinawag pang bakla kalaban eh siya naman pala ang bakla! Meron pumuntang taga DSWD at BFAR sa amin sinabing tatlo lang ang option namin ..doon na sa Tawi Tawi mangisda, maghanap ng ibang trabaho o mag pa enroll sa 4Ps eh di naman kami gusto magmalimos sa gobyerno wala rin namang ibinigay na kapital pang negosyo..mga loko loko eh subukan kaya muna nilang bumiyahe galing dito tungong Tawi Tawi kahit pa mag jetski sila mga buwang!”

          – Mang Dencio, a very frustrated and angry Zambales fisherman

  5. A Must Watch

    Today’s forum at the UP College of Law. Panelists includes the legal team who represented the Phils. before the PCA at The Hague.

    What next post PCA award –

    Upholding the Law of the Sea Convention and the Post-Arbitration Philippine Challenge

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2fi1HIkxWU

    • This must be shared too, to the FB crowd. Don’t give them, the hidden parties, any time to make back deals without the people’s knowledge. Learn from experience, some leaders can be sly to betray the nation again and again to save face and for their own interest.
      Share and shout !
      It is our way of thanking the past govt for a smart and caring legacy to the Filipinos WITH ROCKS AND ISLANDS but with treasures underneath. It is a gift.

      Thanks PNOY and the genius of a legal team, ( Can we hire you on my bro’s CSC case in case it is a negative decision ? :)

      • It was a good forum since the PCA Award on Tues 12 July.

        The lead lawyer speaking, How To’s to enforce the award by SC SAJ Carpio …

        Two sessions, Q & As.

        Nice, very informative.

        Rocks for all ages … heh he heh

  6. but now it’s for the philippines to say let’s talk but drop that ‘indisputable sovereignty claim. the reason why the philippines went to court was because of that claim. if we don’t demand that, our going to the pca is useless. heh, heh…

  7. It will be utter demoralization, humiliation and disheartening to talk with the chinese bullies on their own terms disregarding the PCA ruling that we fought courageously based on legal grounds.

    DFA Yasay and PDu30 are sailing on uncharted waters and may lead to serious repercussions in not-too-distant future.

  8. Initial short notes on PCA arbitration court:

    On ‘Introduction’ page:

    South China Sea is referred to as ‘western Pacific Ocean’

    it is a crucial shipping lane

    believed to hold substantial oil and gas resources

    The basis for this arbitration is the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea xxx UNCLOS xxx The Convention xxx does not address the sovereignty of States over land territory. Accordingly, this Tribunal has not been asked to, and does not purport to, make any ruling as to which State enjoys sovereignty over any land territory in the South China Sea, in particular with respect to the disputes concerning sovereignty over Spratly Islands or Scarborough Shoal. PAGES XX -to- 1. Award/decision.

    If the PCA arbitration court did say that this Award/decision does not address the sovereignty of State over land territory, then is it alright for States: PHL and China to address it by NEGOTIATION over the disputed claims by PHL and China on the land territory matter?

    [ This is without putting into the claims of sovereignty rights over PHL’s four disputes falling into four categories. – Sub. Par. 7 PAGE 2. Award/decision. ]

    But how can PHL and China negotiate if PHL asked the Tribunal to resolve a dispute concerning the source of MARITIME RIGHTS and ENTITLEMENTS in the South China Sea?

    Further, PHL’s claims is based on the Convention and not on any claim to historic rights by China. PHL seeks a declaration that China’s claim to rights within the ‘nine-dash line’ are without lawful effect to the extent that the dash line EXCEED the entitlements that China would be permitted by the Convention.

    In the same picture on PHL’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th categories of claims. Page 3 of the Award/decision.

    Again, to repeat: Can PHL and China negotiate to touch on claims of sovereignty on territory? The PCA arbitration court did not include this aspect in the Award/decision.

    Why not? But will China be OPEN to PHL on this since the former keeps saying it owns the land territory by historic rights – the nine-dash line’ for that matter? Is there a possible resolution to this by both parties, peacefully or amicably, without threats or use of force by a powerful China to the PHL.?

    Start negotiating then? Or PHL can refuse negotiating? Which course of action to take?

    • On Page 467 of the Award/decision, PAR. D Conclusion, the Court said –

      1201.The Tribunal considers it beyond dispute that both Parties are obliged to comply with the Convention, including its provisions regarding the resolution of disputes, and to respect the rights and freedoms of other States under the Convention. Neither Party contests this, and the Tribunal is therefore not persuaded that it is necessary or appropriate for it to make any further declaration.

      So, meaning what? Parties can negotiate under the Convention to resolve their disputes, and to resolve to respect their rights and freedoms under the Convention since both Parties does not contests their options to resolve the disputes under the Convention.

      In short, [ in my honest opn ] the arbitration court encourages both PHL and |China, outside of Its Award/decision, to the resolution of their disputes by negotiation under the Convention, if both are willing.

      Negotiation is suggested in the Tribunal’s Considerations [ Pages 467-468 ] under the basic rule – pacta sunt servanda as: “Every treaty in force is binding upon the parties to it and must be performed by them in GOOD FAITH.”

      In support of the Tribunal Consideration, it quotes Article 300 of the Convention that:

      “States Parties shall fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed under this Convention and shall exercise the rights, jurisdiction and freedoms recognized in this Convention in a manner which would not constitute an abuse of right. “

      . . Settle disputes peacefully [Page 468 and succeeding pages, Tribunal’s Consideration ].

      The DISPOSITIF on Pages 471- 477 of the Tribunal on what were the facts, etc., is matter for the Parties to know what the Tribunal found and ruled upon. That is, Parties may follow or not follow the DISPOSITIF.

      Note: The UN Tribunal is so unique from other ‘courts’ that Its award/decision have no provision for enforcement (?), [as many have asked and opined in answers], to avoid WAR which is the goal of forming THE UNITED NATIONS body since AFTER WORLD WAR II. Thus, succeeding wars still happens after this formation of this body of nations.

      • Before the Tribunal’s decision was issued, It was believed that China has a bigger edge on the issue being discussed with. But after the favorable decision has been granted to the Philippines, the Philippines has gained a much greater edge on the matter. Hence, if ever, there will be a voluntary discussion on the matter, the Philippines should never agree to a preset of conditions coming from China.

  10. This is digong’s 1st acid test of his skills & knowledge on how to treat international conflicts. This can be a make or break on his political leadership and impress the international community that he can steer his country from the harassment and threats of china.

    This issue(s) is not as deadly and urgent as the issues on drugs and criminality in the country anyway but this can be a yardstick of his capability to handle and deal with crises like these in his six-year tour-of-duty.

    China has been very vocal and firm about this dispute even before the verdict was handed by the PCA and their stand remained the same despite the final judgement of the PCA.

    Digong i think should make up his mind about this ASAP and make some official statements & assertions regarding this issue.

    “China will not join such negotiations if they are based on the ruling.” This pronouncement from vice foreign minister liu zhenmin must be answered immediately by digong or else china would think that we are scared of them. (true or not true)

    Sidebit:
    The are some concerns right now in the whole country about how to deal with drug pushers and users who surrendered by thousands already and more are expected to give-in. Amazing they say, but the idea of rehabilitating these people left the gov’t agency concern in quandary.
    Why not send these people in spratlys to guard the islands and do some construction works?

  11. Sorry out of topic

    RJ Jacinto named presidential economic adviser. My reaction to this is WHAT!!!?
    read this
    http://pcij.org/stories/1998/runlives.html

    maybe you will also have the same reaction … I might be wrong but i think RJ is the God Son of FVR and …
    “Duterte wants FVR as special envoy to China”

    someone is going to be rich again

    • RJ is bayaw of former FG Mike Arroyo. Connecting the dots is now easier. Duterte’s backers are either China, GMA and Marcos. Doon lang naglalaro.

    • RJ is also the source of the counter “Hello Garci” tapes that was released by PGMA Executive Secretary Ignacio Bunye. Obviously the tapes were cut, spliced and edited at RJ Studios.

      • only “hello garci?” how about iyong issue sa leyte ..was it spliced and edited at rj studios too?

        kaya appointed si rj as economic adviser dahil at imho, magiging or magmukhang puppet ba si presdut nina gma and husband, bbm and china, at mayroong studio where they can do all the splicing and editing whenever or whatever they will discussed with china?

        nagtatanong lang po at medyo naguluhan kung bakit hanggang ngayon walang statement si presdut kahit thank you sa mga phil. delegates and international lawyers? ibig bang sabihin ng kanyang pananahimik ay ayaw nyang masaktan ang damdamin nina gma & husband, china and once again bbm?

      • in ma’am raissa’s May 8 issue – “Mayor Duterte, please disclose what you told Chinese officials about the South China Sea” was there a video or recorded conversation that until now no response from the inquiry of ma’am raissa? suffered the same fate as “Obviously the tapes were cut, spliced and edited at RJ Studios?”

  12. Why offer a handshake to someone who is stepping on your foot? China has ransacked our fishing resources , even catching endangered species just so they can cure their erectile dysfunction. They have denied our fishermen source of livelihood from their traditional fishing grounds, and occupied our territories. I seriously believe that Yasay and Duterte were praying for a negative ruling from PCA. That way they can blame PNoy and then pleased their Chinese supporters. Then they would initiate talks with China and come out as heroes. China’s rhetoric and actions are perhaps caused by their One Child Policy. Most Chinese do not have brothers or sisters, cousins, niece or nephews, uncles or aunts. Most of them only have Grandparents, Parents and Daughter or Son. Therefore most of them grew up as brats who are used to being spoiled and getting whatever they wanted. They dont know the value of sharing, sacrifices, and the value of personal relationships and respect towards others. Most of them are arrogant and so full of themselves. No wonder the Mainlanders are so different from those from Hong Kong and Macau.

  13. If China truly believe it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the +90% of South China Sea it’s claiming then why does it insist on holding bilateral negotiations with other claimant countries to settle claims? It does not make sense. Bilateral and “friendly” negotiations…when you have “indisputable sovereignty”? Either China’s too nice of a neighbor to still be willing to negotiate knowing fully well they have “indisputable sovereignty” or their so called “indisputable sovereignty” is not backed by indisputable FACTS.
    China’s mouthpieces keeps on harping:
    “we have historical and legal backing!”
    “the PCA is a puppet tribunal backed by the US!”
    “the PCA does not have legitimacy to hear the case!”

    China should do us all a favor by bringing proofs of their historical and legal claim to an international court of their liking.

    • imo that bilateral talk is tricky and treacherous.
      let’s say 5 claimant asean nations agree on that scheme.
      if the talks bear good results, let’s say gaining a 50-50 share from each, then china will have apportioned itself the biggest chunk of the pie. mathematically a whopping 83% of the lot.
      it also puts itself in the upperhand.
      whenever talks are held between itself and a nation at a time, being a giant and 2nd in the world economically, it can haggle and take home all it wants.

  14. masamang pangitain ito: while the chinese envoy were smiling and talking to digong long before international court handed its decision, and talked of mutual benefits between pinas and china, the chinese continued building, fishing and reinforcing its presence in our shoal, at lalong pinalawak pa, turning our fishermen away each time pumalaot sila.

    methink, digong did not negotiate with the chinese then, and did not tell them to let our fishermen fish in our eez. god knows what digong was scratching his face for, but it was not for the benefit of our people.

    digong was outgoing mayor then and only has davao to think of, but as president this time with the whole philippines to think of, digong must learn to think like a giant and say no to china. our eez is for our own use, as much as china has its own eez for its own use. we shall not negotiate unless china acknowledge international court’s ruling and backs out of our eez. then, we’ll negotiate, then talk.

    pls lang po, digong should not fall for that trick that china has soft spot for him kuno. to me, it only means china has found digong’s weak spot and going for it big time. digong will be brought down on his knees and with him, the whole of the philipppines.

  15. I dont think we need to negotiate with China according with their term. They are intimidating Pilipinos so we need to heel on them and give up our lands.. Lets talk but scrap the tribunal — funny.