Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22) — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is supporting back-channel talks with China, believing it could resolve some of the flashpoints in the dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
Gatchalian suggested the idea as foreign affairs chiefs of Manila and Beijing made a phone call on Wednesday to discuss issues.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously said the country needs a “paradigm shift” in dealing with Chinese aggressions in disputed waters as current diplomatic efforts with the east Asian giant were heading “in a poor direction.”
The senator said back-channeling can provide a venue to resolve flashpoints including the harassment faced by resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal and Filipino fishermen, as well as the increasing number of Chinese maritime militia vessels which could result in accidents.
“If you do back-channeling without external pressure, then we can be more frank and more open, and also more personal on that note,” Gatchalian told reporters on Friday. “I believe we can resolve many things by just talking quietly and understanding one another.”
Back-channel diplomacy could be more informal but also secretive, experts say.
Gatchalian said the person who may conduct the backchanneling can be outside of the Department of Foreign Affairs and “someone who is respected by China and has the trust of our president.”
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“We can still continue to talk about long term issues, for example, about the arbitral ruling, but at least eliminating the three flash points, we can actually achieve peace and quiet in that area,” he said.
How about sending ships to Reed Bank?
Gatchalian resisted the idea of sending survey ships and drill ships, accompanied by the Philippine Navy, to explore Reed Bank, saying it could escalate tensions or even spark a war.
“We can do this step by step,” he pointed out. “First is to talk about energy security in the area, explore oil and gas on our own EEZ (exclusive economic zone). Let’s put that in the conversation.”
The senator was commenting on the suggestion of retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to secure the area and not get intimidated by China’s aggressions.
Carpio said developing the Recto Bank is also important for the Philippines as supply from the Malampaya gas field is expected to dry out in two to three years.
Gatchalian, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, said it is “quite sensitive” to explore other areas.
“Na-extend na ang contract ng Prime Energy (The contract of Prime Energy has been extended) so they are allowed to explore in the area. And since Malampaya is an existing well, and the exploration is within that area, from my understanding wala namang problema (there’s no problem) to expand Malampaya,” he explained.
He added that ships that will be sent alone to Reed Bank without gray vessels will only be blocked by China.
Also called Recto Bank, the Reed Bank reportedly holds the most oil and gas reserves in the West Philippine Sea.
The 2016 arbitral ruling declared it as part of Manila’s 200-nautical mile EEZ, meaning the Philippines has the sole right to exploit resources in the area.
China, however, has refused to recognize the arbitral ruling.
