Newscats Opinion | “Philippines’ Assertive Stance: A Defense of Sovereignty, Not Opportunism”

This article is written in response to the recent publication titled “Philippines’ Opportunism Doomed to Failure” by chinadaily.com.cn. Contrary to the arguments presented in that piece, the Philippines’ actions in the South China Sea are not a case of opportunism but rather a defense of its sovereignty, backed by international law and global support. The Philippines’ commitment to upholding the 2016 arbitration ruling and promoting regional stability through diplomacy highlights the legitimacy of its stance against China’s aggressive maneuvers in the region.

The narrative surrounding the Philippines’ actions in the South China Sea often frames the country as opportunistic, particularly in the face of growing tensions with China. However, this portrayal ignores the Philippines’ legitimate efforts to defend its territorial sovereignty and uphold international law. Far from being opportunism, the Philippines’ stance reflects a principled approach rooted in the 2016 international arbitration ruling, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the region. With broad international support and a commitment to peaceful diplomacy, the Philippines stands as a defender of regional stability, striving for justice in a complex geopolitical landscape.

1. Legal Rights and International Law:

The Philippines has a strong legal foundation for its claims in the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in 2016 that China’s “nine-dash line” claim, which includes much of the South China Sea, had no legal basis under international law. The ruling affirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including fishing rights and access to resources. Despite China’s refusal to acknowledge the ruling, it remains a significant legal victory for the Philippines, and continued adherence to international law is a commendable position.

2. Support from the International Community:

The Philippines has gained widespread international support for its position. Countries like the United States, Japan, Australia, and several European nations have backed the 2016 arbitral ruling, calling for the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law. China’s militarization of artificial islands and aggressive tactics are often seen as bullying smaller nations like the Philippines, which is why global powers side with the Philippines for maintaining regional stability and respect for international norms.

3. Economic and Strategic Interests:

The Philippines’ stance in the South China Sea is not “opportunism” but a legitimate defense of its economic and territorial rights. The area is rich in natural resources, such as fish and oil, which are vital to the Philippines’ economy. Ensuring access to these resources is necessary for the country’s growth and energy security. Additionally, maintaining freedom of navigation is essential not just for the Philippines but for the entire region, as a significant portion of global trade passes through the South China Sea.

4. Diplomatic Engagement and Restraint:

Contrary to claims of opportunism, the Philippines has generally pursued diplomacy and peaceful negotiations over confrontation. Even under President Rodrigo Duterte, who was seen as conciliatory toward China, the Philippines did not relinquish its rights or sovereignty. The current administration under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also balanced diplomacy with stronger assertions of sovereignty. The Philippines has consistently shown restraint despite provocative actions from China, such as its maritime militia’s incursions into Philippine waters.

5. Small Nation Standing up to a Giant:

The Philippines’ actions should be viewed as a smaller nation standing up to a regional superpower, not opportunism. China’s aggressive behavior, including the militarization of disputed territories and harassment of Filipino fishermen, threatens the sovereignty of its neighbors. The Philippines has shown courage in asserting its rights despite the imbalance in power, and it deserves international praise for defending its territorial integrity in the face of such pressure.

6. ASEAN and Regional Cooperation:

The Philippines is not alone in its concerns over China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Several ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, also have overlapping claims with China and have expressed similar worries about Beijing’s actions. The Philippines has worked within ASEAN to advocate for a rules-based approach to resolving disputes, further demonstrating its commitment to diplomacy and cooperation rather than opportunism.

 

Conclusion:

The claim that the Philippines’ stance is “opportunistic” is an oversimplification and misrepresentation of a complex geopolitical situation. The Philippines is defending its rightful claims under international law, seeking support from the international community, and attempting to balance diplomacy with protecting its sovereignty. It is standing up to a larger, more powerful neighbor in defense of its national interests, and this is a commendable and justified course of action, not one of opportunism.

By focusing on the Philippines’ legal, diplomatic, and moral positions, it becomes clear that its actions are not doomed to failure, but rather are part of a legitimate and principled defense of its sovereignty and regional stability.

-CMT


RELATED: Philippines’ opportunism doomed to failure

Published October 11, 2024

The Philippines has been making provocative moves in the South China Sea and thus escalating tensions in the region since last year. Perhaps Philippine leaders have not heard of a Chinese saying: A quarrel between two sides will only benefit a third party.

The Philippines hopes to benefit from the United States’ moves to check China’s rise and maintain its hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region.

For decades, the Philippines has been an opportunistic player. In 1971, taking advantage of rotating its troops to deal with a typhoon, the Philippines illegally occupied Zhongye Island in the South China Sea. In 1999, when the bombing of the Chinese embassy in erstwhile Yugoslavia heightened tensions between China and the US, it grounded a World War II-era warship on Ren’ai Reef in a bid to occupy it permanently.

Also, for decades, it has been trying to benefit from the US-China competition, especially from deteriorating US-China relations. However, in its blind pursuit of material and strategic benefits, the Philippines has become a pawn in the hands of the US, which has been furthering its “Indo-Pacific strategy” to contain China.

The Philippines’ opportunistic trait aligns perfectly well with the US’ China-containment strategy. What Manila doesn’t understand is that it can use the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty to extort military aid from Washington, but not draw the US into a confrontation with China.

History tells us that the US has often left its allies in the lurch because it has always believed in serving its own interests. For example, in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 during the Vietnam War, the US publicly refused France’s request for assistance. In the same year, the US signed a so-called mutual defense treaty with China’s Taiwan but did not get directly involved when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army shelled Kinmen in 1958, aside from providing some logistical support to the island.

Besides, the US pulled Pakistan into a bilateral mutual defense assistance agreement and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization with seven other countries, again in 1954. However, during the 1965 India-Pakistan War, it turned down Pakistan’s request for assistance, stating that the agreement did not apply to the conflict.

 

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SOURCE: www.chinadaily.com.ch