Philippines to push toned-down sea conflict resolution

MANILA, Philippines — There is no mention of the West Philippine Sea issue in the resolutions being pushed by the Philippines for peaceful settlement of disputes in the Asia-Pacific region, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday at the start of the 31st annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

Zubiri and Speaker Martin Romualdez held a joint press conference after leading morning executive committee meetings with the 273 delegates from 18 countries that confirmed attendance in the APPF, held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Zubiri earlier said the Philippines has to tone down its language in defending the country’s sovereignty against Chinese provocations in the West Philippine Sea, especially with members of China’s National People’s Congress in attendance in the APPF.

“We’re happy that the delegation has come to the Philippines. They could choose not to come, but they came. Therefore, we should accept them with open arms, and we should discuss with them, like senior and seasoned parliamentarians on how we can resolve the issue once and for all,” Zubiri said.

At yesterday’s AAPF opening, Zubiri shook hands with China’s head of delegation, Wang Ke, who is vice chair of Chinese congress’ foreign affairs committee.

“We might have differences of opinion with China, but that still does not preclude from adhering to our beliefs. It’s a work in progress,” Romualdez said for his part.

He said members of parliament in the APFF “subscribe to the rules-based international order,” despite their disputes.

“There’s also a saying, we should learn how to disagree, but to not to be disagreeable with one another but always working towards a consensus. We are going there,” Romualdez said.

Among the 37 draft resolutions filed by different member countries for plenary debates, Zubiri said the Philippines is sponsoring one on “strengthening the capacity of parliaments to promote regional peace and stability,” wherein it also “urge(s) the member parliament to support… the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.”

The Manila declaration “encourages states to make full use of the provisions and procedures