Tolentino decries disunity on WPS

Amid fresh developments on Philippine territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and an upcoming debate on the issue, former senator Francis Tolentino expressed dismay over what he described as a divided stance among government officials, warning that such discord only fuels confusion about the legal realities of the dispute.

“Gumulo (confusing),” Tolentino said during a media forum he attended alongside Jay Tristan Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard. Tarriela, for his part, thanked the former lawmaker for clarifying key facts surrounding the issue.

“I’m saddened by the lack of unified stands of our officialdom. I’m referring not just the executive but members of the legislative branch. Nakakalungkot (ito),” Tolentino said, stressing that Philippine officials “should have been more united in discussing and promoting what we have in terms of the consequences coming from the 2015 arbitral ruling, the entitlement provided us by UNCLOS, as well as the effects of the twin laws I sponsored.”

Tolentino authored the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act No. 12064) and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (Republic Act No. 12065), measures that drew strong objections from China.

“Nakakalungkot lang na sabihin na i-give up na natin. Nakakalungkot po iyon kasi Article 1 of the Constitution provides that the Philippine territory comprises of the blah blah blah. It cites where we have sovereignty and jurisdiction,” he said.

“We have sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Pagasa Island. We cannot give that up. To give that up is unconstitutional. It would require a constitutional amendment. Not even Congress, not even the Executive branch, even the military can give that up,” he added.

Tolentino emphasized that the country’s claim over the WPS should no longer be in question. “Ang pinag-uusapan po dapat natin ngayon kung papaano natin masigurado na iyong nilalaman ng West Philippine Sea ay mapunta sa kapakinabangan ng susunod na salin-lahi. Hindi na natin pinag-uusapan na i-give up na.”

He underscored that “international law is not a matter of personal opinion” and is “anchored on jurisprudence and the law of the sea.”

“We cannot bargain or give away what is ours because that would be unconstitutional,” he said.

As further proof of Philippine jurisdiction, Tolentino pointed to the recent declaration of certain foreign officials as persona non grata by authorities in Pag-asa Island, noting that this demonstrates the presence of a functioning administrative body and local government unit.

Responding to questions on how local fishermen could better understand the implications of Philippine jurisdiction in contested WPS areas, Tolentino maintained that the country’s claims rest on solid legal foundations, particularly the two laws he authored — RA 12064 and RA 12065 — which clearly define the nation’s maritime zones and outline the defense and diplomatic policies that must be upheld. TRACY CABRERA