Sea row to be raised as Vietnam PM arrives

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is expected to discuss with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung the Philippines and Vietnam’s territorial disputes with China as the latter arrives in Manila today for the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia.

The Vietnamese leader will be in Manila for a three-day working visit.

Aquino and Dung are expected to compare notes on China’s recent aggressive actions in the disputed waters, Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said yesterday.

“It is reasonable to expect that they will continue to compare notes on the two countries’ experience in dealing with issues on the West Philippine Sea. We are still awaiting the finalization of the details of the visit,” Coloma said.

The Philippines will remain vigilant over China’s reclamation and construction projects on Mabini (Johnson South) Reef, the Palace official said.

Aquino had earlier raised indications that China was reclaiming land around Mabini Reef during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Myanmar.

The Philippines released last week a series of photographs showing the reclamation work by China on Mabini Reef as Manila accused Beijing of violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and international law. 

Mabini Reef is part of the Kalayaan Island Group.

Beijing’s $1-billion oil exploration rig in the South China Sea had triggered deadly anti-China protests in Vietnam.

The two leaders will also tackle matters of mutual concern, including defense cooperation, tourism and trade and investment, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA said Aquino, Dung and Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun will be part of a panel at the opening of the WEF, where they will share their views on leveraging growth for equitable progress.

Vietnam was the Philippines’ 18th trading partner in 2013, with total trade amounting to $1.33 billion. It plays host to more than 6,000 Filipinos, as well as Filipino companies, including Jollibee, San Miguel Brewery, Liwayway Industrial Food Corp. and United Pharma Inc.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Vietnam both have narrow visions on the relations between the US and China amid the prevailing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a Chinese newspaper said on Tuesday.

In an editorial, China’s state-run Global Times said that Hanoi and Manila are being used as pawns in Washington’s game of brinkmanship with China, and that both countries are doomed to be disappointed.

“The smug thinking in Hanoi and Manila is only a reflection of their narrow vision. A few remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry will hardly make a difference in the US-China competition. Washington’s biases in the South China Sea are becoming increasingly obvious as China grows stronger, so Kerry’s attitude comes as no surprise,” it said.

Chinese poachers arraigned today

Meanwhile, the Chinese fishermen caught poaching turtles off Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal in the disputed West Philippine Sea are set to face a Puerto Princesa court today over poaching charges.

Provincial prosecutor Allen Ross Rodriguez said the nine alleged poachers would appear before the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court Branch 51 for arraignment proceedings at 8:30 a.m.

The cases for violations of Republic Act 8550 (Fisheries Code), particularly Section 87 or poaching in Philippine waters and Section 97 or taking of rare, threatened or endangered species, and RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) will be heard by Judge Ambrosio de Luna of the environmental court.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, said the cases against the Chinese fishermen would proceed despite China’s demand for their release.

“The cases will proceed. We have them in custody so the appropriate legal proceedings need to continue,” she told reporters. “Poaching is covered by our laws.”

Rodriguez had earlier approved the indictment of nine of 11 Chinese fishermen arrested by the Philippine National Police Maritime Group on May 6 for poaching off Hasa-Hasa Shoal, an area close to mainland Palawan, which China claims to be part of its territory.The two others, who are minors, have been deported back to China.

The Chinese fishermen, assisted by a representative of the Chinese embassy in Makati City, rejected the offer to be represented by a public attorney during earlier proceedings.  – With Pia Lee-Brago, Jaime Laude, Edu Punay