WPS disputes can be settled thru ‘diplomacy, not by force’: PRRD

MANILA – The Philippines’ long-standing dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) can only be settled through diplomatic negotiations and “not by force,” President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Monday.

Duterte made the remarks as he reassured the public that he is not relinquishing the WPS to China.

“We need to do more in our partners. We continue scaling our maritime domain awareness, defense capabilities. Yet, we will not close our doors for diplomacy because that is how disputes are settled and never by force,” he said in his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The Philippines on July 12, 2016, won its petition against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands after the court invalidated Beijing’s supposedly historic rights over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the WPS.

China has repeatedly ignored the 2016 PCA ruling, while the Philippines has sought to resolve the sea dispute peacefully and diplomatically.

Duterte said the arbitration law is “now part of the international law and beyond compromise and beyond the reach of the passing governments to dilute, to diminish, or abandon.”

He, however, admitted that he could not force China to acknowledge the sea ruling that favors the Philippines.

“What will I do with a document that (does) not bind China because they were never a part of that arbitration? There was really no arbitration at all because it was only the Philippines’ side,” Duterte said. “Well and good, but ito ngayon (now) that there is the arbitral ruling, you know, I do not want to insult these people pushing me for something (that is) more than what I can handle.”

No war with China

Duterte also reiterated his stance that he would never order his troops to launch a war against China.

The Philippines, he said, could not afford to go to war because it lacks weapons to defend the WPS.

“It would be a massacre if I go and fight a war now. We are not yet a competent and able enemy of the other side. So, what I did was I was just being nice to them,” Duterte said.

Not receiving money for personal gain

Duterte also refuted the claim of some people that he is receiving money from China for personal gain.

He said he never asked for money from China just to secure his presidency.

“For some people to say that I was helped by China in being president, these idiots really, I will never, never do that. Hindi na bale akong hindi mag-presidente. Hindi ko talaga gagawin ‘yun (I would rather choose not to be president. I would never do that). To be what? Receiving money from China to buy votes?” he said.

Duterte likewise clarified that he only had the chance to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping after he got elected as president.

“Hindi ako tinulungan ng China. Nag-usap kami (China did not help me. We talked), let’s say civilly but after election. And after election, I was a good friend of President Xi. Until now. When the pandemic struck, the first country I called for help was China,” he said.

‘True’ friend

Duterte acknowledged that China was the first country to help the Philippines amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He reiterated that he has to repay the kindness of China by being its “true” friend.

“‘Pag may utang na loob ako sa’yo (When I have a debt of gratitude to you), you can be sure of it, I will be your friend, a true friend, and die for you,” Duterte said.

PH not in ‘shadows of great powers’

Duterte, nevertheless, guaranteed that the Philippines is no longer making a decision or taking actions “in the shadows of great powers.”

He emphasized that while he continues to work with all nations, “the majesty of the law must prevail” in addressing disputes.

“Make no mistake rather, gone are the days when the Philippines decides and acts in the shadows of great powers. We will assert what is rightfully ours and fight for what is rightfully due to the Filipino people,” the President said.