China rejects having 3rd party in Recto Bank probe
MALACAÑANG ON Monday said the People’s Republic of China does not want to involve a third party in the joint investigation into the June 9 boat sinking incident at the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.
In a press briefing at the Palace on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said he received a “report” from Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana indicating that the Chinese government does not want to have a third party in the probe.
“Ambassador Chito Sta. Romana talked with the [Chinese] foreign ministry. Nagbigay siya ng (He gave a) report,” he said.
“Ang sabi naman nila, huwag na iyong third party; kailangan tayo lang ang mag-usap doon. Iyan ang (They said, no need for a third party; it should be just us talking. That is what’s) recent,” he added.
Mr. Panelo also said that the “verbal” agreement between President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016 that the Chinese government will not interfere with Filipino fishermen in the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea is “valid and binding.”
He cited that under the law, even “verbal” agreements are valid and binding as long as there is “mutual consent” between the two parties.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila was sought for comment but had yet to respond as of this posting.
Meanwhile, in an interview at an ANC program, Mr. Panelo also explained that Mr. Duterte’s threat to jail critics who will file an impeachment complaint against him in relation to his approach to the West Philippine Sea issues was just an expression of “disgust.”
Sought for comment, Law and Business professor Antonio A. Ligon of De La Salle University (DLSU), who has also been conducting lectures on South China Sea issues, said in a phone interview: “It would be prudent to conduct an investigation if China is not included. Because if you include China, it’s like admitting that ‘Uy kasali kayo rito, sa inyo rin ito (Hey you are part of this, this is yours too), so you can investigate.’”
“It’s like disregarding what the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea said doon sa (in the) 2016 arbitration award. Nanalo na nga tayo (We have already won), and the world is saying that China should back off,” he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin
