Teodoro: Phl, China talks on WPS must be based on ‘sincerity, fundamental principles’

Philippines should engage in bilateral discussions with China concerning the situation in the West Philippine Sea only if it is based on "sincerity and on fundamental principles" of the rules-based international order, Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday.

"If there are going to be bilateral discussions, [they] must be based on fundamental principles and on sincerity, that it shall not be used merely as a weapon in order to constrain the Philippines," Teodoro said in a media interview on the sidelines of an Armed Forces of the Philippines event in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Teodoro clarified that the possibility of Philippines-China bilateral talks will be up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

"It's not my call, that is not my call. Whether or not there are bilateral [talks] is the call of the President and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs," he said.

Teodoro was asked if it would be fruitful for the country to hold discussions with China.

He replied: "Formal bilateral discussions should only be held when it is proven that they are sincere, but the President himself has said that their illegal activities continue unabated, so to enter into bilateral negotiations in that context will be just to be playing into their playbook. It will be an attempt to constrain the Philippines from enforcing its claims — which it rightfully has under international law contrary to China's narrative."

Teodoro said the talks should result in sustainable solutions.

"It's not a question of growth, it's not a question of supply lines or freedom of commerce of navigation, its a question of survivability, sustainability for future generations," he said.

Recently, parliamentarians of member-states of the 31st Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum had a consensus to further commit to efforts to promote and maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

The APPF31 also agreed to support the continued adherence to the 1982 Manila Declaration on the peace settlement of disputes.

China initially objected to the resolutions sponsored by the Philippines and Indonesia on maritime security and the settling of disputes due to provisions that urged adherence to international laws through international bodies, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The resolutions were rejected during the discussion of the APPF31 working group on political and security matters.

At the last day of the APPF31 plenary session on 25 November, Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri announced that China has agreed to the adoption of a resolution seeking to maintain peace and stability in the region — which was included in the parliamentarians' joint communique.

"We are very happy that the delegation from China graciously accepted our proposed amendment. Initially, they didn't want to have any mention of UNCLOS and freedom of navigation, pero pumayag na rin sila (they eventually agreed)," Zubiri said.

UNCLOS is an international convention that provides for a comprehensive regime of laws, rules and order in the world's oceans and seas.