News
DFA considers filing resolution on WPS issue at UNGA
By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency
FILE: WATER CANNONED. A China Coast Guard vessel directs its water cannon at a Philippine vessel in the latest harassment incident near Ayungin Shoal on Sunday (Dec.
10, 2023). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard via PNA)
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently reviewing a proposal to file a resolution at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly regarding China’s rising aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago confirmed this during the plenary deliberation on the DFA’s proposed PHP27.392-billion budget for 2025 at the House of Representatives.
“Ang DFA po ay may plano talagang mag-file ng (The DFA really has a plan to file a) resolution with the UN General Assembly on the Philippine’s territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea,” Violago said.
Violago, the agency’s budget sponsor, said the decision to file a resolution would require careful consideration and must be subject to necessity and prudence.
“The recommendation to file a particular resolution with the United Nations General Assembly would have to be subject to necessity and prudence. The department appreciates the recommendation and continues to study its implication,” he said.
He explained that the UN General Assembly typically focuses on human development issues, arguing that it might not be the proper venue for political debates, such as territorial disputes.
“The DFA maintains the view that the United Nations General Assembly is the venue for decisions on human development issues that concern the conditions faced by humanity as a whole. The United Nations General Assembly is not the venue for political debates where anything short of consensus decision from the assembly, such as one that would require a vote with an uncertain majority, would be a success only if the parameters for success are redrawn,” he said.
Violago highlighted that the DFA has been consistently raising the Philippines’ territorial claims, including the 2016 arbitral award, in international forums and meetings.
“The Philippines has consistently included the award in each intervention in the meetings of the state parties on the law of the sea,” he said.
In the meantime, Violago assured that the DFA would continue its efforts to protect the Philippines’ territorial integrity and national interests through diplomatic means.
“Kaya nga laging peaceful talks at constant communication sa bansang China ang ating pong ginagawa. At hindi naman po napapagod ang atin pong kawani ng Department of Foreign Affairs na gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin para po mapanatili ang isang mapayapang West Philippine Sea (That’s why we always engage in peaceful talks and constant communication with China. And the DFA officials never get tired of fulfilling their duties to maintain a peaceful WPS),” Violago said.
