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Category: Foreign Affairs

‘ Bizarre’ standoff in Sabah

Published by Ellen on February 19, 2013

Jamalul Kiram III. AP photo by Aaron Favila.
One report described the current standoff in Sabah as “bizarre”.

Bizarre indeed. The Philippines claims ownership of Sabah based on the title of the Sultan of Sulu on the territory. The heirs of Sultan of Sulu who obtained the land are taking possession of a portion of the area. The Philippine government said it has nothing to with the the action of the heirs.

The reaction of the Philippine government is bizarre if one takes it from the presumption that the Philippines is not abandoning its claim over Sabah.

But if there’s one thing that this “bizarre” incident has made clear, the Philippines is no longer interested to pursue its claim over Sabah.

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China returns Philippine notice on U.N. suit

Published by Ellen on February 19, 2013

Hong Lei in a press briefing Feb. 19, 2013
China today announced that it returned the Philippine notification of its suit filed at a United Nations arbitral handed to the Chinese ambassador in Manila last Jan 22, a Xinhua report said.

The report carried by China.org.cn said “The Chinese government has rejected a Philippine move to take their dispute regarding sovereignty issues in the South China Sea to the United Nations for arbitration, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.”

It quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei saying,”Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing had an appointment with officials from the Philippines’ Foreign Ministry on Tuesday and returned a note and related notice after expressing China’s rejection.”

Reacting to the Chinese rejection,the Department of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement: “The Department received this afternoon from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing a Note Verbale stating that China rejects and returns the Philippines’ Notification and Statement of Claim.

“The Department stresses that China’s action will not interfere with the process of Arbitration initiated by the Philippines on January 22, 2013. The Arbitration will proceed under Annex VII of UNCLOS and the 5-member arbitration panel will be formed with or without China.”

“In its Note Verbale, China reiterated its often stated position that it has indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea encompassed by its 9-dash line claim. This excessive claim is the core issue of the Philippines’ arbitration case against China.”

“The Philippines remains committed to Arbitration which is a friendly, peaceful and durable form of dispute settlement that should be welcomed by all.”

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Veteran diplomat’s advice to PH re UN case vs China: ‘Stop off-tangent remarks’

Published by Ellen on February 2, 2013

By LauroL.Baja, Jr., VERA Files

Baja at the UN
The Philippines has finally brought to the compulsory dispute mechanism of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) its conflict with China over some areas in the West Philippine Sea. Finally, because many believe that this action should have been done before 25 August 2006, when China declared “it does not accept any of the procedure provided for in section 2 of Part V of the Convention referred to in paragraph (a) (b) and (c) of Article 298 of the Convention.”

Be that as it may, we should accept and support the wisdom and circumstances which led the Philippines to file the case with the Arbitral Tribunal. Views on why only now, why the Arbitral Tribunal, and why file it all, should now focus on how best to contend with China’s possible defense that the dispute is subject to its reservations.

Update: China opposes taking sea disputes to UN

That we filed the case is not yet an achievement and we should be fully prepared and persevere just in case proceedings start.

Continue readingVeteran diplomat’s advice to PH re UN case vs China: ‘Stop off-tangent remarks’

China’s occupation of Bajo de Masinloc gave PH no choice but go to U.N.

Published by Ellen on January 27, 2013

Two of three Chinese fishing vessels at Bajo de Masinloc
So far, all that Beijing has said of the Philippines’ suit asking the United Nations to declare as illegal its nine-dash-line map is that it “will complicate the issue.”

China reiterated its earlier denunciation of the Philippines’ “illegal occupation” of some islands in the South China Sea, referred to in the Philippines as “West Philippine Sea.”

Sources with contact in Beijing said China’s Foreign Ministry was “stunned” that the Philippines pushed through what they have been talking about for almost two years now.

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Aquino confirms appointment of Basilio as ambassador to China

Published by Ellen on December 5, 2012

President Aquino confirmed the appointment of Foreign Undersecretary for Policy, Erlinda Basilio as ambassador to China.

Following the is the transcript of the “ambush” interview”:

President Aquino Q: Sir, how soon will we name our next ambassador to China? Usec. (Erlinda) Basilio has been floated as a replacement.

PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, as soon as we will submit her name to the Commission on Appointments. Once they confirm (her), therefore, we can seek the—the French term was ‘agrément’—parang the agreement for the designation of Usec. Basilio as our new ambassador to China.

Q: So you’re confirming it is Ambassador Basilio?

PRESIDENT AQUINO: Yes.

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Erlinda Basilio expected to be named ambassador to China

Published by Ellen on December 3, 2012

Calm demeanor masks toughness
President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to name Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio as ambassador to China, reliable sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Malacanang said last Friday the President would announce Monday the new ambassador to China who will replace Sonia Brady,71, who suffered a stroke in Beijing last August.

Malacanang, however, made no such announcement, preoccupied it was with monitoring typhoon “Pablo.”

DFA sources said Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario submitted to the President three names, all career officers, for the post that is considered the most challenging in Philippine foreign affairs today.

Basilio has always been in the list of candidates for ambassador to China after Aquino family friend Domingo Lee withdrew from the position he was nominated for (he was never confirmed by the Commission on Appointments) in the wake of the standoff at the Panatag shoal, also known as Scarborough shoal, 123 nautical miles off Zambales in Central Luzon. But she has made herself valuable as undersecretary for policy in the home office.

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