Everyone knows President Duterte has forged closer ties with the Chinese government. But nobody must have measured the degree of his closeness to the leaders in Beijing, not until he made pronouncements on the state of play in Benham Rise.
In a news briefing in Malacañang, Duterte revealed he had “cursory knowledge” of the recent activities of China in Benham Rise, an undersea region 250 kilometers off Aurora and Isabela provinces. His statement sprang a surprise, not only to the public, but even to some of the administration’s key officials, including Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana.“There’s no incursion [in Benham], because Beijing and I had an agreement. I invited them to the shores of the Philippines for a visit,” Duterte told the media with resounding confidence.
He also revealed “[the Philippines was] advised ahead of time” of the research ships that navigated the Philippine waters late last week. Duterte said there’s no need to press the panic button, noting he is definite China is unlikely to turn to aggression this time.
“We do not want to pick a fight. Things are getting great our way, so why spoil it?” Duterte concluded.
However, it seems the communication systems failed again for the administration, as Lorenzana was apparently caught off guard by Duterte’s pronouncements. In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, the secretary of defense was quoted saying: “Huh? Sinabi niya ’yun? [He did say that?]”
Resources at stake
Whatever internal arrangement—or miscommunication—is taking place inside the Palace, China’s latest navigation in Benham Rise is surely a national concern. History shows Beijing, with its military, technological and financial might, is capable of occupying a territory once it sets its eyes on it.
Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare undersea region east of Luzon, is a recent addition to the Philippine territory, following the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’s (Unclos) decision to approve the country’s claim over the area in April 2012. The undersea region, bigger than Luzon, Samar and Leyte combined, is believed to be rich in oil, natural gas and other minerals, such as manganese.
It also features a diverse coral-reef ecosystem that shelters a healthy marine life, as documented by marine scientists from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Oceana Philippines and the University of the Philippines during their oceanographic exploration in Benham Rise last April. The water bank is home to the bluefin tuna and other in-demand fish species, which could make it a potential fishing ground for Filipino fishermen.
The whole site is yet to be explored, but what has been reached, so far, by marine scientists has impressed the human eye. This is a reason compelling enough for any country interested in territorial expansion, like China, to study potential opportunities on what Benham Rise has to offer and provide.
No strings attached
It was not so long ago when Beijing made aggressive advances in the West Philippine Sea, in spite of legal a contention not just from Manila, but also from Bandar Seri Begawan, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei.
Duterte, however, chose to sway to the other side, and has since then reversed his predecessor’s approach toward China. For reasons not impressive enough for some diplomatic experts, the Commander in Chief decided to talk soft to the leaders in Beijing in exchange for billions of dollars worth of funding and investment pledges.
Duterte, for his part, clarified there are no strings attached in all the deals with China, adding it’s just immature to pick a fight with a superpower.
But the opposition is unimpressed, and so are the people who remember history very well. To them, the “research ships” would later be replaced by war ships.
Reactions
In a news statement released on Tuesday, the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said “[they] oppose, in no uncertain terms, the incursions of China in Benham Rise.” They are further angered by Beijing’s assertion that the Philippines cannot claim ownership of the undersea region, in spite of the Unclos decision way back in 2012.
Bayan urged Duterte to “assert Philippine sovereignty against the incursions of China, instead of being overly concerned with upsetting [the superpower].” It added he must send a firm and clear message to Beijing that Benham Rise is part of Philippine territory.
And then there’s Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV, who is accusing Duterte of supposed crime against public trust. Trillanes, a staunch critic of the present administration, said Duterte may have committed an impeachable offense if he allowed any foreign firm or government to study or fish out resources within Benham Rise.
In a news report, the senator said Duterte could be liable of treason if he is proven guilty of compromising the country’s sovereign claims without mandate from lawmakers. Economic rights over resources in Benham, according to Trillanes, belong to the Philippines only.
Clarification
So is Duterte selling Benham to China?
One of the most intriguing questions during the news briefing in Malacañang on Monday was raised by a television broadcast reporter. He asked: “Mr. President, does the $24 billion in trade investments you got from your first trip in China comes with strings and islands attached?”
Duterte gave a curt “no” for an answer, and went on to defend his decision to allow the navigation. “Why should I pick a fight [with China]?” he said.
It was on Tuesday when Presidential Spokesman Ernesto C. Abella saved the day—once again—for this administration. He delivered a short statement clarifying the government’s stand on the Benham Rise issue.
“First and foremost, Benham Rise belongs to the Filipino people. The Philippine government is duty-bound to defend and protect our sovereign and territorial right over this region. Other countries can exercise innocent passage and territorial navigation, but they are disallowed to stay and establish any structure in the area. The [country’s] claim on the region is supported by Article 77 of the Unclos. The Philippines has the responsibility to oversee and regulate the sailing ships of other countries that pass through the waters of Benham,” Abella said in his usual low, calm and modulated voice.
“Having said that thing about Benham, we will continue to pursue diplomatic talks with the other party [China],” he continued.
In the dark?
Then came Thursday, which was a pretty bad day for Abella. As if a boxer cornered on the ropes of the ring, he was caught on the wrong fighting stance, while Malacañang reporters threw consecutive jabs of questions, which dumbfounded the spokesman.
Abella cannot give a straight answer as to why the foreign affairs and defense departments were left behind the decision-making in allowing Beijing to conduct research in the undersea region. The Palace spokesman reiterated there was no incursion to begin with, then advised reporters to refer to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo’s news briefing on Thursday. He also claimed the situation was being framed differently by the media, insisting there was no conflict at all.
Image credits: AP
1 comment
It is uneventful, so what’s the big deal?