spot_img
27.6 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Isko to uphold Hague ruling, PH sea claim

- Advertisement -

Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate Isko Moreno Domagoso on Thursday declared he will not abandon the 2016 arbitral award rendered by the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated the massive nine-dash-line claims of China over the South China Sea and upheld the country exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

SYMBOLIC DEFENSE. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso (third from right, in white shirt), running mate Dr. Willie Ong, and Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets push a fishing boat symbolically toward the West Philippine Sea after meeting with fishermen and farmers in Botolan, Zambales on Thursday, as the presidential bet said he will be fearless in defending the country’s sovereignty in the waterway. Norman Cruz

Moreno said he will assert the Hague ruling on the South China Sea and build the country’s capacity to defend its waters in securing unimpeded access for small fisherfolk to abundant fishing grounds.

“We will be fearless in fighting for what is ours. We will insist on the Hague Ruling. But while being fearless, we are going to be fair with our discussion and management of the situation on both sides,” Moreno said when interviewed in Botolan, Zambales with the West Philippine Sea as background.

The Manila Mayor also said his city government is ready to help and lend their expertise, even its vaccinating teams, to provinces in vaccinating their people from COVID-19. 

Bataan government officials led by Governor Albert Garcia expressed their gratitude to Domagoso for assisting the province amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

- Advertisement -

“We will be faithful to our farmers and fisherfolks. Fishermen should be able to fish within our sea territory. And that is what will happen: undeterred, peaceful, and productive fishing opportunities under our rules. Filipino fishermen first,” Moreno stressed.

Moreno, his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Dr. Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison met with 100 fisherfolks and their families in this town to hear their plight because of the Chinese vessels’ presence in Scarborough Shoal.

Locally known as Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc, the shoal serves as the traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen as it is situated inside the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone.

Almost all fishermen in this province have stopped fishing at the shoal since they experienced harassment from the Chinese coast guards and due to the depletion of the fish population.

“Chinese fishermen have been overfishing, depleting our marine resources. They even sell their catch to our fishermen at higher price,” Moreno said, quoting stories from Zambales fishermen.

Besides diplomatic negotiations, the 47-year-old mayor said he will modernize the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard and improve the country’s lines of defense on its western coast.

“I will reinforce our Navy and Coast Guard. We will invest more on the western side of the country, so that we can protect our sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction as recognized by the UN and all other nations,” Moreno said.

The Chinese Coast Guard had used water cannons and sometimes rammed the boats of Filipino fishermen to drive them away from the shoal.

China, which claims nearly all the South China Sea, seized control of Panatag in 2012, prompting the Philippines to seek UN arbitration. In 2016, the arbitral tribunal invalidated China’s sweeping claims, but China continues to ignore the ruling.

The Chinese vessels are moored within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ) where the Philippines has the sole and sovereign right to fish and exploit the marine resources.

“The good thing about the eastern board is that we don’t have any neighbors. Unlike on the western board, from Tawi-Tawi to Batanes (we have). That’s how we’re going to do it,” he added.

Moreno also said he plans to strengthen the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States.

Moreno, however, said he is not currently inclined to invite the US to reinstall military bases in the Philippines.

“We have to study that. In fact, yesterday, we were in SBMA. The former US military base gives us some economic development there, which needs improvement. But bases, actually, sa ngayon, sa totoo lang, dagat lang, okay na. Kasi ang kailangan natin, archipelagic protection. Because we are an archipelagic country,” said Moreno.

Nonetheless, trade treaties and agreements with the country’s regional neighbors, even claimants to the West Philippine Sea and economic rivals of the US, will continue under his administration, Moreno said.

“Treaties will be recognized. Trade with America, Vietnam, China, and all other nations will continue because (the) WPS issue is far different from our economic issue in terms of trade. We’ll take that as an opportunity for us to gain, for the people to gain, for the country to gain,” said Moreno.

In terms of budget, Moreno said the national government’s security spending will focus on external defense should he be elected President.

“Shall we buy lead? Will we shoot our fellow Filipinos? I’ll just invest it in the body of water and protect the future of our country, so as not to reduce our territories,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Domagoso rejected the idea of using goggles to replace face shields.

He disclosed being shocked why health authorities have come up with the idea of pushing for goggles as replacement for face shields after the 17 mayors in Metro Manila agreed to lift the mandatory use of face shields.

“They’re looking for additional expenses for the people. We cannot ask the people to continue spending on something that is not viable, feasible or helpful,” he stressed.

In opposing the use of goggles, he said authorities should try to understand the economic situation of the ordinary masses.

“The people are already suffering. The use of goggles is more expensive. Do they have an idea of what they are doing? Show us a scientific study. If they use it in other countries, fine, because I don’t think we are better than them,” said Domagoso.

He said the government should focus on accelerating the vaccination of those living in the provinces.

“Let us go to the provinces. We in the city government of Manila, for one, are willing to help with the needed medical frontliners in the provinces that would require them” the mayor said.

He noted that almost all cities in Metro Manila have already achieved the safe average in terms of the number of residents that have been jabbed within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Because of this, he said these cities may be tapped to help provinces that need extra manpower.

Domagoso also cited the need to address vaccine hesitancy.

During Moreno’s courtesy call at the Bataan Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, Garcia said Moreno helped the local officials in expediting the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in the province.

“He helped us set up our cold chain facility, so the supply of vaccines arrived here in Bataan immediately,” Garcia said.

The governor also thanked Moreno for helping the province in acquiring the much-needed medicine for the treatment of Covid-19.

“Secondly, I also want to take this opportunity during the pandemic period when so many people are looking for medicine, especially the Remdesivir and Tocilizumab we bought, it’s hard to mention, it’s hard to find. Those of our countrymen who need Tocilizumab, Yorme has helped our countrymen a lot,” Garcia pointed out.

The Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet congratulated Gov. Garcia for his outstanding work as provincial chief executive which resulted in the creation of more industries and jobs that further improved the lives of his constituents.

Moreno said if all local chief executives will focus their time and effort in public service, the problems of the national government will be lessened.

“You are good, you have established many industries. Congratulations Gov. Albert. Farmers, cultivators, plants, tourism, land development, industry. So after that, all the governors don’t have much of a problem with the national government. Honestly, the LGU is really better,” Moreno said before provincial officials and employees.

Also joining the Bataan-Zambales visits were political campaign strategist Lito Banayo and Aksyon Demokratiko party chairman Ernest Ramel.

Moreno thanked the provincial government of Bataan and its people for the warm reception he and the rest of his party received during their visit.

He said the province of Bataan will always have a special place in his heart as this is where his maternal grandparents are buried. The one who also took care of his mother, Rosario Moreno, was also from the Central Luzon province.

Moreno also said that during his youth, he previously worked in Pilar town as a farm hand in the rice fields of Barangay Landing where he earned P75 a day gathering the rice stalks preparatory to milling.

After the harvest season, Moreno would then go to Barangay Nagwaling where he worked at the gravel pits for additional income.

“Bataan is my second home,” Moreno said.

Manila also has a deep connection with the province as both its residents deeply suffered at the hands of Japanese soldiers during World War 2, he noted.

“Bataan and Manila have a deep relationship. Because the defenders of our country’s freedom have endured hardship, fatigue, and pain. So, as you can see, in the middle of this hall is the symbol of things that should not be done in the future. We must seek peace. Peace nowadays is a very expensive word, hard to find but we must seek peace because the people will die…people will suffer in war, especially the children,” Moreno stressed.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles