BY VICTOR REYES and ASHZEL HACHERO
DEPARTMENT of Nationwide Protection officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr yesterday vowed to prioritize the development of mission-essential amenities in islands and options occupied by Filipino troops within the disputed West Philippine Sea within the South China Sea.
Faustino, a former Armed Forces chief, made the dedication throughout a go to to the headquarters of the AFP Western Command (Wescom) in Puerto Princesa Metropolis.
Wescom is in control of all army operations within the West Philippine Sea the place troopers are occupying 9 areas, the biggest of which is Pag-asa Island – about 280 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Princesa Metropolis.
“As your new DND OIC, I guarantee Wescom of the continuity of all infrastructure tasks below the DND-DPWH (Division of Public Works and Highways) Tikas Convergence Program,” stated Faustino.
The Tikas Convergence Program is geared toward addressing the ability necessities of army models all through the nation.
“We are going to prioritize mission-essential infrastructure in all Philippine-held islands within the Kalayaan Island Group and the West Philippine Sea,” stated Faustino.
Faustino reiterated the steerage of President Marcos Jr for the army to make sure the nation’s territory is protected.
The army has been bettering its amenities within the West Philippines Sea over the previous years.
These embody cementing of the runway at Pag-asa Island. The 1.3-kilometer runway is made from corals and poses hazard to plane which can be touchdown throughout inclement climate.
In the meantime, China belittled anew the 2016 ruling of the Everlasting Courtroom of Arbitration that favored the Philippines and invalidated China’s sweeping declare within the South China Sea.
“The so-called award of the South China Sea arbitration severely violates worldwide legislation together with the United Nations Conference on the Legislation of the Sea. It’s unlawful, null, and void,” Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated in a press convention in Beijing, a transcript of which was posted on the ministry’s web site.
“China neither accepts nor acknowledges it and can by no means settle for any declare or motion based mostly on the award,” he added.
Wang stated Beijing has made its stand on the ruling clear quite a few instances.
By not accepting the ruling, Wang stated, Beijing is “upholding worldwide legislation.”
Wang additionally stated Beijing’s place on the problem obtained a heat response from the worldwide group, and warned that China will deal with any try and infringe on its sovereignty, rights, and pursuits in accordance with the legislation.
On the sixth anniversary of the historic ruling on July 12, International Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo stated the ruling is “last and indeniable.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his anniversary message, reiterated help to the Philippines and the arbitral ruling, and warned that Washington will come to Manila’s help in case of an assault or aggression.
Manila and Washington are sure by the 1951 Mutual Protection Treaty to come back to every others help in case of international invasion or aggression.
Blinken additionally referred to as on China to cease provocative habits within the South China Sea and abide by worldwide legal guidelines.
Wang lambasted the US.
“The US, as a non-regional nation, has been ignoring the historical past and info of the South China Sea situation and violated and distorted worldwide legislation. It has damaged its public dedication of taking no place on sovereignty claims within the South China Sea, and sought to drive a wedge between regional international locations and undermine peace and stability within the area. That is extraordinarily irresponsible,” he stated.
Wang additionally stated China and the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are “absolutely and successfully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Events within the South China Sea and dealing actively to advance the consultations on a code of conduct within the South China Sea.”
“It has been agreed by all sides that the South China Sea situation ought to be dealt with following the dual-track strategy, particularly, maritime disputes ought to be dealt with correctly by international locations immediately involved via dialogue and session and peace and stability ought to be collectively safeguarded by China and the ASEAN international locations,” he added.
4 ASEAN international locations – the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam — are claiming components of the South China Sea, with Manila calling its half the West Philippine Sea.
China is claiming practically the complete South China Sea, whereas Taiwan occupied the biggest island within the disputed waters, Itu Abba.
