ASEAN’s call

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) call for all claimants to the West Philippine Sea to stop raising tension with regards to the issue is well-taken.  The ASEAN leaders know that it would be disastrous if any conflict should start and disturb the peace and stability in the region.  The leaders had agreed to “strengthen cooperation” among member nations and to do away with any aggressive actions to assert their claim in the disputed islands.  The exercise of self-restriction and the non-use of force in accordance with universally recognized declaration of international laws like the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should be accepted by China instead of being stubborn in laying claim to the islands which are not even in its territorial boundaries.

For its part, Phl is doing just that, but China continues to violate Philippine coastal waters through unlawful restrictions, water cannon attacks and other forms of harassment this is why it has elevated the problem to the United Nations, and which China still ignores.  With this ASEAN declaration, China should heed the call and itself act with more self-restraint rather than to push its claim on the entire South China Sea as Asean member nations would surely not allow to happen.  In fairness, it is more than a sound advice, but a call for brotherhood and unity in the near troubled region.  The ASEAN has acted as a neutralizer. –Alfredo U. Sebastian, E. Rod. Jr. Ave., Bagumbayan, Quezon City