By Camille A. Aguinaldo and Charmaine A. Tadalan
VICE-PRESIDENT Maria Leonor G. Robredo on Sunday urged President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “administration to take immediate and appropriate actions, including the filing of a diplomatic protest” in the wake of China’s reported missile systems in areas of the Spratlys claimed by the Philippines.
Ms. Robredo in her statement said this would be “in line with the ruling of the United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal,” referring to the arbitral case brought to the Hague by the previous Aquino administration, which led to the ruling in the Philippines’ favor in Mr. Duterte’s first year in office as Philippine president.
CNBC earlier reported anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems deployed on Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, locally called Kagitingan, Zamora, and Panganiban reefs.
Ms. Robredo in her statement said the “increased militarization is in violation of UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and serves to contribute to regional instability, compromise our security, and further curtail our sovereignty.”
“The region of the West Philippine Sea is a major passageway for ships from different countries conducting trade around the world. This area should continue to serve as an open waterway for all countries, in accordance to international laws,” she also said in her statement, adding:
“It is critical for our government to work with our neighbors and friends who have a stake in the region to craft a just and peaceful agreement — taking into account international laws and respect for each nation’s sovereignty.”
Former solicitor-general Florin T. Hilbay in a radio interview also supported the filing of a formal protest, saying: “By the time a big coalition managed to convince China to stop its militarization activities (in West Philippine Sea), China might point out that (the) Philippines had not protested when it was building its military bases in West Philippine Sea. China might say it was already their legal right.”
Mr. Hilbay in 2015 was among the Philippine delegation that argued the country’s maritime case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, Netherlands.
He and Caloocan City Rep. Edgar R. Erice also called for a congressional inquiry on the Chinese buildup in the Spratlys.
“It’s important that we look into this issue from a long-term standpoint, just like China does…. The voices of the Senate and the House of Representatives are important. We need to have a full-nation approach,” Mr. Hilbay said.
Sought for comment, Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III said the Senate committee on foreign relations, chaired by Senator Loren B. Legarda, should look into the matter in a briefing with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano assured that diplomatic actions are being taken by the Philippines.
“To those who are saying we are not doing anything, they do not know that we are doing diplomatic actions. Just because we are not shouting at them, we are not doing anything,” he told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City Saturday evening.
“Diplomatic action is the general term: it can include protest, it can include bilateral consultative mechanism, it can include note verbale, it can include a phone call, MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to MoFA. But we don’t discuss details because that’s the way diplomacy should be done,” he added.
He also said the issue would “definitely” be discussed by all claimants and non-regional players in the South China Sea.
“It’s not just between the Philippines and China. It’s between China and the neighbors in the region…. Definitely, there will be a forum where this will be discussed,” Mr. Cayetano said.

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