South China Sea, Now West Philippine Sea: President Duterte Being Urged to Restore Original Name
PHILIPPINES—After the nation won the arbitration case against China over the sovereignty of the South China Sea, a retired diplomat suggested that newly elect president Rodrigo Duterte should consider restoring the 'South China Sea' name as a sign of nobility towards China.
According to former Ambassador Jose Apolinario Lozada, the name of the disputed sea has become very important to the Chinese people. He also pointed out that it's better to be noble enough by giving back the West Philippine Sea's original name.
Lozada also made an impressive suggestion saying that the diplomat must inform the Chinese that the Philippines are giving them more importance now than before. "The most difficult part after this is to convince China to recognize the authority of the Philippines over the islands and hopefully they will quietly leave," he said, "But if they will not leave then we will have to extend our hand of friendship to them and convince them that they are also a priority to our lives."
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Lozada is a former adviser of former president Fidel V. Ramos on foreign arts.
Discussion Over the Tribunal decision
On Tuesday, the UN Arbitral Tribunal had announced that certain sea areas are within the economic zone of the Philippines. The tribunal claimed that China's claim of historic rights to resources within the sea area has no legal basis. The tribunal also stated that China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights by interfering with Filipino fishers and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the area. The decision was made after several months of hearings and submissions of documents.
An hour after the decision, President Duterte held a cabinet meeting and discussed about the UN ruling. Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella confirmed in a text message that "The ruling was welcome, and the government will proceed with sobriety and restraint."
China's Rejection
China then expressed a feeling of dismay over the decision. China said that it will not accept nor recognize the ruling of a tribunal in the South China Sea.
Xinhua, the country's official news agency had also reacted to the verdict, believing that the Tribunal's decision was "ill-founded" and "naturally null and void." The People's Daily Chinese newspaper also wrote in an editorial that the tribunal had disregarded basic facts. Chinese President Xi Jinping also said that their "territorial sovereignty and marine rights" in the seas will not be affected by such ruling.
While the Philippine government is now proceeding to sobriety and restraint, China on the other hand said in a front page commentary of Communist Party's official People's Daily it will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights. China also said it had the right to set up an air defense identification zone, something that the U.S officials have feared to happen.
The Philippine government will have to study the whole decision first before finally releasing a statement.
