By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, April 20 (PNA) — Tensions among claimant countries will likely flare up with continued Chinese reclamation works in the disputed islands of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang during Monday’s press briefing on China’s continued reclamation works in Subi and Mischief Reefs.
“We have compelling reasons to raise our voice to tell the whole world the adverse effects of China’s aggressiveness that has created tensions not only among the countries who have overlapping claims in the area, but also among the countries around the world who are using the international sea lanes in the WPS for trade and commerce,” he added.
Catapang also said that China’s massive reclamation activities are causing irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the West Philippine Sea.
“China’s claim that its activities has not caused damage to the ecological environment in this area is not acceptable,” the AFP chief added.
For example, the destruction of 300 acres of coral reef systems resulting from the reclamations is estimated to lead to economic losses to coastal states valued at USD100 million annually.
“We are saddened hearing the reports that China has driven away Filipino fishermen near these reclamation sites and also in Bajo de Masinloc, denying our people of their own fishing areas which are the sources of their livelihood,” Catapang said.
The AFP chief also revealed that it is worth remembering that China has tolerated environmentally harmful fishing practices by its fishermen who are now occupying Bajo De Masinloc, a Philippine territory.
“These bad fishing practices are violations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” he said.
Catapang pointed out that China’s massive reclamation activities will cause tensions among claimant countries not only because it could deter freedom of navigation but also due to its possible military purposes.
“We support the government’s move to protest the ongoing construction works which clearly violated ASEAN-China Declaration of Conduct in which the signatories agreed to resolve the territorial dispute peacefully and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes,” he added.
“We call on China to stop the reclamation activities and to be mindful of its responsibilities as a claimant state and an important member of the international community,” Catapang said. (PNA)