IN an interview with SMNI, former National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon clarified the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
He stated that not only China claims islands within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
He mentioned that Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei also have claims in the disputed waters.
However, it’s not China but Vietnam that occupies the most islands or reefs.
“So, you can see that it’s not just us there, Malaysia also has five positions. even Brunei has two within our [Exclusive Economic Zone],” said Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Former National Security Adviser.
According to Esperon, war is not the solution to territorial disputes but rather discussions based on existing laws.
“What they are saying is that if there are territorial claims within the EEZ, they need to be discussed. Either through the International Court of Justice or through bilateral talks. because UNCLOS did not rule on territory, or sovereign territories or sovereignty,’ he added.
Now that the U.S.’s positioning in the Philippines is stronger under the Marcos Jr. administration, Esperon hopes it will not lead to war.
Because this was not the policy they pursued in the Duterte administration, tensions did not escalate over the past six years in the disputed waters.
“This is not simple; my only hope is that there won’t be chaos there. My hope is that we will further strengthen our positions in the nine positions like what Vietnam and China are doing. If we can’t do that, let’s wait a bit because we are still lacking in military power,” Esperon concluded.
