Inihayag ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na tatalakayin ng Pilipinas ang panukala nitong “Triple Action Plan” (TAP) sa mga pulong ng ASEAN ngayong buwan upang mabawasan o tuluyan nang mapawi ang tensiyon sa West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Ipapanukala ng Pilipinas ang TAP bilang kongkretong hakbangin na tutugon sa lumalalang tensiyon sa West Philippine Sea.
“The Philippines joins countries of the region and the international community in calling for urgent action to reduce the rising level of tension in the South China Sea,” saad sa pahayag ng DFA.
“These tensions have strained relations among countries, increased levels of mistrust, and heightened the dangers of unintended conflict in the region. Therefore, in order to immediately do what is right in accordance with law, the international community must take determined actions to reduce tensions as we urgently work to resolve the dispute in the South China Sea,” saad pa sa pahayag.
Ayon sa DFA, nakasaad sa TAP ang agaran, intermediate at pinal na mga hakbangin laban sa mga nakapipikon at nagbubunsod ng alitan na aktibidad sa rehiyon nang hindi nasasaling ang tungkol sa mga inaangking teritoryo.
“As an immediate approach, the TAP calls for a moratorium on specific activities that escalate tension in the South China Sea. This approach brings to fore the need for a more concrete definition of paragraph 5 of the ASEAN-China Declaration of Conduct (DOC) on the South China Sea,” anang DFA.
“For the intermediate approach, the TAP highlights the need and call for the full and effective implementation of the DOC and the expeditious conclusion of the Code of Conduct,” dagdag pa.
“As a final approach, the TAP underscores the need for settlement mechanism to bring the disputes to a final and enduring resolution anchored on international law. The Philippines is pursuing such a resolution through Arbitration and believes that the Arbitration award will clarify the maritime entitlements for all parties, which will be the basis for the settlement of maritime disputes,” saad pa ng DFA. – Madel Sabater-Namit
