Senator Imee Marcos advocates diplomacy, transparency over Ayungin Shoal conflict
Manila – Senator Imee Marcos has voiced a call for diplomacy and transparency as the primary approach to resolving conflicts, particularly in the context of the ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China.
In a recent statement on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, Senator Marcos emphasized the significance of adhering to international agreements and obligations, specifically highlighting the United Nations (UN) Charter’s mandate to settle disputes through peaceful means.
“The first line of defense is diplomacy. Let us settle our conflict in a peaceful manner. We should fully comply with our obligation under the UN Charter to settle conflicts in a peaceful way. China sent us a note to dialogue, let us talk to them,” Senator Marcos stated.
However, the Senator proposed a novel dimension to the diplomatic process.
She suggested the meticulous documentation of every interaction involving diplomats, Coast Guard personnel, and military representatives from both nations.
This documentation, Senator Marcos argued, should be made accessible to neutral third parties, allowing for an unbiased assessment of the efforts made by both countries and the responses from China.
“We should make records of these attempts accessible to neutral third parties so that they may verify our efforts and China’s responses thereto. This way, the world can ascertain both countries’ sincerity in engaging in genuine dialogue,” Senator Marcos elaborated.
Senator Marcos also affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to upholding its rights through peaceful means.
She emphasized the nation’s legal entitlement to resupply its personnel stationed at Ayungin Shoal.
If deemed necessary, the Senator indicated that the Philippines might consider acquiring larger and more robust supply ships and Coast Guard escort vessels, with a preference for domestic construction.
“To be clear, we will do whatever is necessary to protect our rights through peaceful means. Resupplying our personnel in Ayungin Shoal is within our legal rights. Thus, if we need larger and more powerful supply ships and PCG escort ships, then we will acquire them, preferably by building them ourselves,” Senator Marcos said.
In closing, Senator Marcos underlined the principle that might does not justify actions.
She reinforced the Philippines’ stance, rooted in the belief that standing one’s ground is a matter of being on the right side of justice.
“Might does not make right. We will stand our ground because we are in the right,” Senator Marcos concluded.
With tensions persisting between the Philippines and China, Senator Marcos’ statement injects a fresh perspective into the ongoing dialogue, emphasizing diplomacy, transparency, and adherence to international norms as crucial elements in resolving conflicts.
Meanwhile, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) disclosed that the resupply mission to the detachment manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57) in Ayungin Shoal has been successful, attributing the success to the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The Filipino supply boats were only carrying water, food and other supplies during their rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission, the AFP said in the report.
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