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Joshua Adrian B. Crisostomo

2FPH
Reaction Paper: Issue on the Spratlys Islands (West Philippine Sea)
As far as I can recall, the issue regarding the West Philippine Sea or
more commonly known as Spratlys has been existing ever since. Different
countries in the South-East Asian region has been claiming the rights or
ownership of the said group of islands. Some say that this is due to its
perfect strategic location for purposes such as warfare and economics. It is
also suggested or claimed to have large deposits of oil underwater, which is
a valuable commodity in our times today. Many reasons could arise as to why
countries are fighting for this tiny piece of marine area.
A lot of argument has been brought up but only a couple could be
considered valid in a number of reasons. First, I would like to tackle on
Chinas side of the coin. They say that it is theirs for it is part of the South
China Sea and has been claimed by them many centuries ago as stated in
their history books. If it were to be based on history, it could be an argument,
such as our argument in reclaiming Sabah from Malaysia. A professor of mine
also said that China is only saying these statements as a front, meaning to
say it is not their real intention, but rather their bullying of the other
countries claiming rights to this area, one of them being the Philippines, is
only an act to make their presence known not only to Asian countries but
also to the Western powers. It could be valid, for Chinas growth
economically has increased exponentially, and now do they announce that
they are a country that shouldnt be ignored. But setting that aside, the mere
claim of it due to history and being part of the South China Sea could be
justifiable. However, because of laws that govern territories that has been
created to solve problems such as this one, the West Philippine Sea and the
Spratly Islands are clearly inside the Philippine territory. It means to say that
this area is in fact and evidently is in the possession of the Philippines, and
we are the ones that have the right to it. It is also under our constitution,
therefore being bound by the laws of the country, it Is an area of the Filipino
people.
None of the parties would obviously give in to the claim of the other,
this being the reason why this case has already reached the United Nations.
Despite this move, China did not recognize the claim of the Philippines and
continued to do excavations on the marine area. The Philippines has tried
diplomacy and failed. In my opinion, the government should somehow assert
our claim and be firm in it, for I believe that this is the only way for China to
begin listening to our plea, to our claim. I do not say that we should go to
war against China, but we should not back down from them just because
they are stronger than us in respect to warfare, firepower. It is only my desire

that they hear us and begin respecting our claims, that they start to talk to
us in a diplomatic way and resolve this issue the way that it should be done.
Only then, in my opinion, will the process of restoring order in those areas
begin and a resolution be made.