By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will continue asserting and protecting its maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea, including carrying out resupply missions to its military outpost at Ayungin Shoal, as the country opened its annual Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month on Monday.
National Maritime Council Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said the government would maintain its activities in the disputed waters while ensuring that its actions remain peaceful, non-provocative and consistent with international law.
“’Yong mga activities natin doon are all lawful, legitimate and consistent sa international law, sa UNCLOS, and especially sa 2016 arbitral ruling,” Lopez told reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony at Luneta Park.
“Itutuloy natin ’yong mga dapat nating gawin. Wala tayong kinatatakutan dahil we are all consistent tayo sa international law. Batas ang pinag-uusapan dito,” he added.
Lopez was referring to the Philippines’ continuing activities in the West Philippine Sea, including missions to resupply troops stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
The Philippines has consistently maintained that its operations in the area are grounded in its rights under international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea dispute.
The ruling rejected the legal basis of China’s sweeping claims to historic rights over large areas of the South China Sea.
The government’s renewed declaration came as the Philippines began the month-long observance of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month, or Mana Mo.
Presidential Proclamation No. 316, signed in 2017, designated September of every year as the country’s Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.
The annual observance is intended to strengthen public understanding of maritime and archipelagic concerns, government policies and the importance of protecting the country’s marine environment.
Government agencies and local government units are expected to hold activities throughout the month highlighting the Philippines’ identity and responsibilities as an archipelagic nation.
Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns Secretary Andres Centino said the celebration also serves as a reminder that protecting the country’s seas is a responsibility shared by every Filipino.
“Kada Setyembre ng bawat taon, nagkakaroon tayo ng mga activities to remind every Filipino of the responsibility that we have to perform, to protect and give value to our… being a maritime and archipelagic nation,” Centino said.
Centino also urged the public to help protect the country’s marine environment by avoiding activities that could damage or pollute its waters.
“So, we have to remind everyone to take care of our seas, we have to take care also of our environment and make sure that we are not just throwing anything out to sea,” he said.
The Mana Mo observance will continue throughout September with activities designed to promote awareness of the Philippines’ maritime identity, rights and responsibilities as an archipelagic nation.
ia/xf
