Osmeña: Duterte ‘weakened’ PHL position on West Philippine Sea

Senator Serge Osmeña III presides over the continuation of a hearing on Tuesday, March 25, questioning the awarding of the construction and 25-year management of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) terminal to GMR Infrastructure Ltd of India. He had earlier described the company as a “foreign firm with a questionable operating background.”

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Sergio Osmeña III criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s handling of the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, saying the chief executive has “weakened our position.”

“He has not made a big issue out of it. As a matter of fact, he has weakened it somewhat and we’re hopeful that he’ll be able to find a away to go back to our original position which is the 200-kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone has been decided properly,” Osmeña told reporters in an interview.
The former senator cited Duterte’s negotiation with China to allow Filipino fishermen access to Panatag Shoal, also known as Scarborough Shoal.

“Teka muna, sa atin 'yan, bakit ka magne-negotiate over that shoal?” Osmeña said.

A July 12 decision issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the Panatag Shoal, also referred to as Bajo de Masinloc, is a common fishing ground. The Panatag Shoal is located 124 nautical miles from the nearest point in Zambales.

The same decision also ruled in favor of the Philippines, as it invalidated the so-called nine-dash line, China’s basis for claiming almost the entire South China Sea.

“So far officially he has not repudiated the PCA decision, he has not said yes the nine-dash line exists and it belongs to China but there are several steps that he has been doing that has weakened our position and has strengthened China’s position,” Osmeña said.

On Sunday, President Duterte said he insisted during his meeting with Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, that the Scarborough Shoal belongs to the Philippines.

He said fishermen “might” be able to have access to the Panatag Shoal in a “few more days.”
"Ang pagkaalam ko pinaalis na rin niya [Xi] iyong mga Chinese na fishermen para wala nang makita diyan. Iyon ang pinag-usapan namin," Duterte said, but added that he was not sure if the Chinese will fulfill their promise.

“We will just wait for a few more days, baka makabalik na tayo doon sa Scarborough Shoal.. [sa] pangingisda ng ating mga kababayan,” he added. — via ALG, GMA News