Phl must stand fast on WPS — Ex-CJ Panganiban

Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, the former highest official of the country's Judiciary, insisted that the Philippine government should hold firm in its claims in the West Philippine Sea, even if China continues its aggression in the contested waters.

In an interview during the Rotary Club of Manila Membership at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City on Thursday, Panganiban said the Philippine government should stand fast in its claims and have a grip on the rule of law, as China now uses great tactics in belittling small claimants in the WPS, just like the Philippines.

"The more powerful countries use great tactics to scare the less powerful countries. I think we should stand fast and stick to the rule of law all the time," Panganiban said.

"The rule of law is the only weapon of weak countries, as we cannot match powerful countries militarily. With the rule of law, we are equal in the world," the former chief Justice stressed.

Amid the latest aggression of China in Ayungin Shoal last Sunday during a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, the country still blames the Philippines for encroaching on Ayungin Shoal "without China's permission."

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin also commanded the Philippines to "immediately stop making maritime provocations and tow away BRP Sierra Madre stationed in Ayungin Shoal, as the Philippines' move to "repair the vessel [is] an attempt to permanently occupy" Ayungin Shoal, which Wenbin said violates international law.

But on Thursday, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza, in a statement, maintained that Ayungin Shoal is within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines.

Don't stop protesting

Further, CJ Panganiban said the country should not stop sending protests and notes verbale to China every time Philippine maritime authorities suffer bullying from them.

"We still have to submit those protests because we cannot waive our claims, our rights. Our relationship with China is just temporary because, in history, we will be judged, not now but tomorrow. We just have to keep on fighting with our available diplomatic or non-violent means. We must continue protesting even if the bully does not respect us. Because if we stop protesting, it can be interpreted as acquiescence or submission," Panganiban told the DAILY TRIBUNE.

The DFA spokesperson also underlined that "the Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, including in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal."

Daza stressed that China cannot lawfully exercise sovereignty over Ayungin Shoal as it is "clearly beyond the 200 nautical miles maximum maritime entitlement for an exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."