TOL: PH can summon, brief China envoy on 2 landmark maritime laws
SENATE Majority Leader Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino said that nothing prevents the Philippine government from also summoning China’s ambassador to the country, and providing the latter with official copies and a briefing on the two landmark maritime laws recently signed by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.
Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Tolentino shared that he personally conveyed his proposal to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on the sidelines of the DFA budget hearing on Tuesday.
“But Secretary Manalo told me that the ambassador is currently not in the country and is on a month-long leave,” said Tolentino, principal author and sponsor of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (12064) and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (12065).
Tolentino made the remark in reaction to a question about China summoning the country’s ambassador to Beijing, just hours after the signing of the two landmark laws to express its strong objection.
The incident should not intimidate the government, Tolentino said, but should even strengthen its resolve to assert its rights and entitlements over the country’s maritime domain.
“We should not be pressured and bullied into a corner. The mere fact that they are reacting and behaving in that manner is a clear indication that our position is right, based on the might of international law,” stressed Tolentino, Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones.
“We deserve and expect respect as a sovereign nation. I can even deliver [a copy] of the laws to them,” he added, noting that China will, in due time, receive an official copy of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act from the United Nations itself. Meanwhile, he said the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act will be submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
