EDCA does not deter China's provocations

Akbayan party-list on Wednesday (2 March 2016) condemned Chinese occupation of the Quirino Atoll in disputed waters off the West Philippine Sea, saying China’s consistent provocative actions deserve stronger rebuke from the international community.

“China’s illegal and immoral provocations prove that entering into lopsided security arrangement with the US under EDCA does not deter incursions,” said Akbayan party-list nominee Tom Villarin. “Instead EDCA only provides the US with leverage at the Philippines’ expense.”

“Now more than ever we need to solidify our alliances with other nations especially the ASEAN to isolate China diplomatically,” added Villarin. “this bully of a neighbor must hurt where it matters, in its standing before the international community.”


“The Philippines must stand together with other ASEAN countries and unequivocally rebuke China,” he added.

“Moreover, through our case in the UNCLOS, we must maintain our moral leverage over China’s bullying tactics,” added Machris Cabreros, Akbayan President.

“With EDCA or not, our sovereign claim is ours alone to assert. US presence will not promote deterrence,” added Villarin. “China has to be fully accountable for its actions. UN Arbitral Commission has to act now and decide our case.”

“We must also explore other venues where we can hold China accountable such as the UN Human Rights Council for violating the right to a livelihood for our fishermen,” added Cabreros.

Villarin said that creative, legal responses to “China’s transgressions depend on independent foreign policy strengthened by multilateral consensus, not bilateral talks as peddled by candidates like Binay.”