Philippines underscores need for 'mediation'

MANILA, Philippines- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has told the United Nations General Assembly that the Philippines will continue to pursue peaceful means, such as mediation, to resolve the territorial dispute with China.

Manila has been locked in a standoff with Beijing over the resource-rich Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal since April. Both countries have been accusing each other of escalating the tension over the territory.

In a statement delivered before the General Assembly’s High Level Meeting on “The Role of Member States in Mediation”, Del Rosario said the "cost of conflict is too high, in lives lost, in futures destroyed and in what must be done to rebuild."

However, Del Rosario conceded that the vast political and economic differences between states, including those in dispute, the law on peaceful resolution of disputes is often ignored.

"Mediation and other third party mechanisms can level the playing field... It is for this reason that we are pursuing this course in hoping to resolve the conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea as well as in addressing the internal conflicts in my country," he said.

Del Rosario also urged nations to be open to mediation.

"As in peacekeeping, states must realize how their contribution to mediation forms part of their commitment to help foster global peace and security," he said.

The High Level Meeting was convened and chaired by the President of the General Assembly to provide a platform for an in-depth and comprehensive discussion on the role of member states in the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts.

Del Rosario is among five foreign ministers invited to speak in the meeting because of the Philippines’ active involvement in mediation initiatives in the United Nations.

Chapter VI of the UN Charter which deals with peaceful settlement of disputes requires states with disputes to seek solutions through peaceful methods such as negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice.

The Philippines is a member of the Group of Friends of Mediation and co-sponsored the landmark consensus resolution on “Strengthening the Role of Mediation in Peaceful Settlement of Disputes and Conflict Prevention and Resolution” in June 2011.

This year, the Philippines is leading efforts in the United Nations to mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes through a General Assembly resolution that calls on States to “promote and observe in good faith” the historic declaration.