The Philippines is slinking from passing an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the disputed seas between them. This, when Manila is supposed to lead ASEAN as chair on its 50th year this 2017, an international maritime law expert says. The COC would avert violence from the disputes, a Philippine advocacy since it initiated a softer Declaration of Conduct in 2002. But instead of upgrading that initial Declaration into a binding Code, Manila has rustled up a mere “Framework” or outline of a Code. “The Philippines has actually been moving backwards on this,” Dr. Jay Batongbacal remarked at a recent forum on Manila’s victorious maritime arbitration with Beijing. The Code should be among the highlights of the 50th ASEAN Summit to be hosted by Manila in Nov.

Bondoc, J. (2017, August 23). Phl seen backtracking on sea Code of Conduct. Philippine Star, p. 11.