Stakeholders Analysis (Spratly Island issue)

This is a compilation of all the group outputs required in the subject PA 241 (Public Policy and Program Administration) under Prof. Rodrigo Giducos in the degree Master of Public Administration

Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2014

The research is focused on examining by describing historically the relationship between the Philippines and China in the disputed claims over the islands in South China Sea. To crystalize this goal, the discourse in the paper heavily employs inter-textual analysis that is logically arranged into an opening idea on the context of the conflicting issue over the islands situated in Spratlys, then followed by an extensive illustration of the relationship between the Philippines and China concerning the territorial claims over the islands of South China Sea. Subsequently, a brief reflection guided by the principle of territoriality is portrayed with the goal to authoritatively explain the idea of jurisdiction over the islands in the Spratly area. After that, the paper briefly concludes with a prospectus on the issue of South China Sea.

The Spratly Islands Conflict: Implications to China and the Philippines Christine Marie S. Yeneza1 and Ferdinand T. Abocejo2 1University of San Jose–Recoletos and 2Cebu Normal University and Cebu City, Philippines Abstract This study endeavored to assess the conflict on the Spratly islands between the Philippines and China in view of sovereignty, maritime jurisdiction, economic, strategic and political interests of the two claimant countries. It anchored its framework on the theory of political realism by Morgenthau (as quoted in Williams, 2007) which explains that the primary end of any political relation and action is holding on to power either in the domestic or international arena. In the international relations perspective, nations are primary agents which ultimately strive to maximize their power. Bilateral negotiation between China the Philippines were discussed. The study employed a qualitative-descriptive and critical analysis of the gathered information from refereed journals. The findings revealed that the six countries advance their claims over the Spratly islands on the bases of sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction, economic and strategic interests. The Spratly islands are seen to have rich fishing grounds and are believed to have guano and oil deposits with strong potential for commercial fuel explorations. The Chinese government has been continually upgrading and strengthening its naval capabilities while regularly patrolling over the disputed Spratly islands to assert its dominance in the disputed maritime area. China and the Philippines have reached and signed bilateral agreements concerning the Spratly islands in the UNCLOS but implementation was not made possible because of difference in interpretation of agreements based on the vague wordings of the Convention. The situation was complicated as both countries were unwilling to change their position on the issue revolving the Spratly islands. This attitude illustrates the arguments of the theory of political realism in international relations where countries seek and formulate foreign policies with the nature of putting forward their own interests. At the moment, the resolution of the conflict over the Spratly islands looks gloom unless a mutually beneficial bilateral agreement between the two countries can be effected. Keywords: Sptratly islands, sovereignty, maritime jurisdiction, claimant country, Philippines, China, bilateral negotiations

Revista de Direito Econômico e Socioambiental, 2017

China’s construction of artificial islands during last few years has raised concerns about militarisation of the South China Sea threatening stability and security for littoral countries. China claims over 80 per cent of the South China Sea and it is building landing and garrison facilities over geographical features classified as rocks and coral reefs. China's claims are grounded on their supposed discovery and occupation of these features since antiquity. Other claimants, like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei and Indonesia, have their own historical narratives and cite articles of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to justify their sovereignty over part of this disputed maritime region. This multilateral nature of dispute makes it extremely complicated and China's increasingly assertive policies have further compounded it. Accordingly, several nations, including United States, have raised alarm regarding freedom of navigation across the South China Sea. It in this backdrop of rising tensions that this article examines these multiple narratives and what UNCLOS and the Permanent Court of Arbitration say in clarifying the legality of maritime rights to crystal gaze likely future trajectories. However, this study also recognizes that while UNCLOS remains at the core of maritime dispute settlement, it is the evolving geopolitics of Asia that will go a long way in guiding both the interpretation of UNCLOS as also state responses in terms of their proposals for joint development or unilateral strategies.

Philippines-China Security Relations: Current Issues and Emerging Concerns, 2012

Asian Review 26, 2013., 2013

The South China Sea has sea lanes of global significance, rich fishing grounds, and potentially vast oil and gas reserves. ASEAN members are in conflict over China’s claims in the area, but are working towards a binding code of conduct. Unity within ASEAN and continued diplomatic efforts will be essential to preventing disputes leading to armed conflict. By solving its internal inconsistencies and achieving stability, ASEAN will be able to promote its centrality in the region’s security architecture as well as its importance in the global arena.

The intensification of territorial and maritime disputes between the Philippines and China has become the focus of regional and international attention. These disputes have adversely affected the state of bilateral relations, which have deteriorated to a record low level since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1975. There is growing concern as to whether these disputes can be resolved peacefully or whether they will intensify further and lead to a diplomatic rupture or even a military conflict (2015).

This compilation looks at emerging security dynamics in the Southeast Asian littorals and its impact on Asian geopolitics and security. It presents country perspectives of the strategic implications of recent developments in the South China Sea -- their implications for maritime security and the regional balance of power. After a Arbitral Tribunal pronounced a verdict in July 2016, invalidating China's historical claims in the South China Sea, there is fear that the dispute might turn into a flashpoint for conflict. Beyond dwelling on the strategic deadlock that characterizes the current state-of-play, contributors outline possible solutions and a way forward.

978-0-9874031-7-9: Buszynski 01 The development of the South China Sea maritime dispute 978-0-9874031-6-2: Schofi eld 02 Increasingly contested waters? Confl icting maritime claims in the South China Sea 978-0-9874031-5-5: Rothwell 03 The 1982 UN convention on the Law of the Sea and its relevance to maritime disputes in the South China Sea 978-0-9874031-2-4: Zhang 04 China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea: A strategic shift? 978-0-9874031-9-3: Do Than Hai 05 Vietnam's evolving claims in the South China Sea 978-0-9874031-4-8: De Castro 06 The Philippines in the South China Sea dispute 978-0-9874031-0-0: Roberts and Collinson 07 The role of ASEAN 978-0-9874031-3-1: Emmers 08 The US rebalancing strategy: Impact on the South China Sea 978-0-9874031-1-7: Wesley 09 Australia's interests in the South China Sea 978-0-9874031-8-6: Buszynski and Roberts 10

THE PRIMER is an initiative of independent researchers. The facts and analyses presented herein represent the authors’ own appreciation of published material and primary sources that were accessible to them during the course of the research. They do not represent any position of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, unless stated otherwise, nor of the publisher. The purpose of this Primer is to make available in a single updated volume a simplified and objective rendering of the historical background, current conditions, pertinent issues and policy questions regarding the territorial and maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. It is intended to assist students, researchers, media practitioners, non-specialist members of the civil service, as well as the general public, in deepening their understanding of the many different issues of the West Philippine Sea disputes. The questions and answers are framed from a Filipino perspective that focuses on information that the authors considered to be most important and of interest to citizens of this country, rather than information that may be highlighted by various foreign authors, organizations or governments. The contents are not intended as advocacy of any particular position or policy recommendation.