Lack of law allows unannounced passage of ships in PH waters

Malacañang had recently ordered all foreign vessels passing through the country’s waters to acquire clearance in response to the reported passage of five Chinese warships through the Sibutu Strait in July and August 2019. (PNA file photo)

MANILA — Foreign vessels and warships will continue passing through Philippine waters unannounced as it did in the past, with the absence of a domestic law requiring them to notify the government first, a ranking Philippine official bared Thursday.

Malacañang had recently ordered all foreign vessels passing through the country’s waters to acquire clearance in response to the reported passage of five Chinese warships through the Sibutu Strait in July and August 2019.

Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said this “call to all” issued by the chief executive stands but further discussion on the subject is called for.

“It’s a matter again for the maritime experts and legal experts to deal with because it seems there is a need for an archipelagic passage bill because under the law if you don’t have that, then they will pass through (as) what is done in the past and apparently these passageways were open to commercial traffic as well as warships in the past,” he told reporters during a press briefing in Beijing.

Sta. Romana said the question boils down to whether there is any hostile intent with the Chinese vessels’ passage. Recalling the position made by the Chinese side, the envoy said the foreign state maintained the passage as “innocent”.

“They say it’s an innocent passage, no hostile intent, and they say if there are any concerns on the part of the Philippines, we can discuss it through diplomatic channels and also between military to military so as to clear the air,” he said.

“If it’s done through consultations, I think we can clear the air,” he added.

But the Philippine government, for its part, will continue verifying information related to the issue, he assured. “You know, as the saying goes in diplomacy, trust but verify.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. had earlier confirmed that a diplomatic note was sent to the Chinese government over the issue.

According to Sta. Romana, the document contained calls on the Chinese side for “clarification” on where did the vessels came from, the reason for its passage, and why their Automatic Identification Systems were inactive.