Sen. Francis Tolentino urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to prepare legal actions against China, which plans to detain trespassers in the South China Sea starting June 15.
Tolentino highlighted potential violations and cited precedents involving Ukrainian vessels detained by Russia and Mexican nationals by the U.S. He called for the DFA to use the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and engage international bodies to protect Filipino fishermen.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra emphasized the government’s readiness to explore options beyond diplomacy if tensions with China escalate while maintaining a policy to de-escalate the situation.
Additionally, the Philippine Coast Guard is considering joint patrols with the U.S. and Japanese Coast Guards beyond the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 6, 2024
