Hontiveros to DENR: Name features of Kalayaan island group to bolster PH claim

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to start naming and identifying the rocks and features of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), as a way to assert the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea.

“The features we occupy in the KIG remain unnamed. Mapapalakas ang paggiit natin ng ating karapatan sa WPS kung malinaw ang pangalan, katangian, at sakop ng mga inaangkin nating teritoryo. Udyukin na ng DENR ang National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) para simulan ang pag-papangalan ng mga ito,” she said.

The senator said that the Philippines currently has no law that names the features in the KIG, a nine-islet chain that the country claims as part of our territory. In international law, she added, maritime and territorial claims arise from named and defined pieces of land or rock.

Hontiveros stressed that the naming of the features in KIG is even more pertinent now, especially in light of China’s prolonged presence in the WPS.

“Identity is key. Naming our land and rocks in the KIG will help us consolidate our ownership of the WPS. Dapat opisyal nang mailarawan ang sakop ng ating territorial seas, upang malaman ng mundo kung alin ang mga lupa at bato na sa Pilipinas,” she said.

“Tanggalin natin ang pag-aalinlangan ng ilan, lalo na’t mas nagiging agresibo ang Tsina sa pangangamkam ng mga isla natin,” Hontiveros said.

The senator also expressed support for the Department of Foreign Affairs, after the agency fired another diplomatic protest over the incessant illegal activities of Chinese vessels in Pag-asa Island. Pag-asa, found 480 km west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, is the largest islet in the KIG.

“Establishing baselines in the KIG that can identify our territorial seas bolsters our complete sovereignty over these seas,” she said.

“Kapag sinasabi nating may sovereignty tayo sa ating territorial sea, buong-buo na para sa Pilipinas lang ang anumang sakop nito. We must also accelerate the upgrading of our facilities in the KIG and start building a permanent base,” Hontiveros said.

“If we stay passive in the face of China’s aggression, China will only continue to take what is ours. Ipakita natin sa Tsina na hindi tayo aatras sa anumang sulok ng laban na ito. Patatagin natin ang depensa ng Pilipinas— sa papeles man o sa laot. Atin ang ‘Pinas,” Hontiveros said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)