Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the government is considering all actions available in the United Nations to address issues faced by Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.
“We are not ruling out anything because that is also part of our diplomatic tact, bringing this to the attention of the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) or the Security Council. Nothing is given up there, nothing is abandoned. All these options are open to us,” Bersamin told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remained mum on some issues during his second state of the nation address, including the several reported instances of harassment by the Chinese Coast Guard against Filipinos in the disputed waters.
In his speech, the president promised to defend the country’s sovereignty, but did not specifically take on the aggressions done by Beijing and its continued rejection of the 2016 The Hague ruling.
While the West Philippine Sea was not mentioned, Bersamin said Marcos remains firm in his commitment that “he will not surrender any inch of our territory or sovereignty to any foreign power,” but will maintain diplomacy in the process.
The executive secretary also said there have been closed door meetings to discuss these matters.
If the issue is brought to the UNGA or the UN Security Council, the most the Philippines can get is a resolution, which may still be ignored by China, Bersamin noted.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said that the upper chamber will pass a resolution urging the government to raise the issue of Beijing’s aggression to the UNGA in September.
Senator Risa Hontiveros backed this possible move.
