No ‘baon’ for Spratlys 5; trip not official

Camera, check. Sunblock, check. Congressional authority, uncheck.

The five congressmen who are scheduled to visit disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) today (Wednesday) will be traveling as “tourists” because their trip is unofficial, according to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Still, China was neither appeased nor amused. On the eve of the lawmakers’ flight, its embassy in Manila sent out word protesting the trip, calling it an act that could “sabotage” bilateral relations

Belmonte on Tuesday said that while he would not forbid any House member to go to the Spratlys on his own, the country’s territorial dispute with other nations could be best handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

‘Let them be’

The Speaker stopped short of calling the trip, which was purportedly being funded by the private sector, a waste of time and money.

“I would discourage them from using private funds. If it’s something for the national interest, they can ask us for funding. They are there as tourists,” Belmonte said.

“They can go there in their own capacity but we can’t in any way say it’s a House-sanctioned [trip]. As far as I know, it’s some kind of military zone. It’s not that somebody can just fly there,” he stressed.

Belmonte agreed that the trip might raise ethical questions on the part of the congressmen following their admission that the trip would be funded by private individuals.

“We don’t authorize it,” he said. “They want to go sightseeing there. They want to make a statement there, let them be.”

Two Akbayan lawmakers—Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao—will lead what they called a civilian peace and sovereignty mission that will also include Representatives Emmeline Aglipay of the Democratic Independent Workers’ Association (Diwa), Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar province and Teddy Brawner Baguilat of Ifugao province.

The group has chartered a civilian plane to land on Pag-asa Island, the largest of the territories held by the Philippines, taking along local and foreign journalists.

Boat ride

Bello said the delegation also planned a boat ride around Pag-asa Island and an aerial tour of the disputed territories, flying over areas held by China and Vietnam.

The lawmaker said the mission aimed to support the country’s claims over what it had marked as its 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone and assert the government position that regional disputes over maritime borders should be settled peacefully.

The delegation also hoped to provide moral support to Filipino soldiers stationed in the Kalayaan group of islands, gather data to support legislative action and explore the possible expansion of economic activities at the site, Bello said.

Belmonte, however, stressed that the DFA had been on top of the Spratlys issue while President Aquino had already made pronouncements on the country’s stand on the matter.

“What I’m saying is, [the trip] will serve a purpose in the sense that they’ll talk about it and know a little bit more about it. But insofar as long-term solutions or even short-term actions [are concerned], it’s better for the DFA and AFP to handle this,” the House leader explained.

‘Done deal’

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the congressmen could go to the Spratlys with or without Malacañang’s blessing, being members of an independent body.

“Whether we approve it or not, it’s a done deal. They’re going,” Lacierda said. “They may have to coordinate with the AFP, but as far as asking permission from the executive [is concerned], I don’t think it is required.”

As to concerns that the trip could only put a new strain on the country’s ties with China, Lacierda said: “The Chinese deals with the executive through the DFA and they continue to talk to each other. In fact, you’ve noticed that there are some disagreements but what’s more important is for us to continue to hold dialogs with them.”