This photo issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels swarming the area of Julian Felipe Reef taken December 2, 2023. Courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard

VICTORIA TULAD

ABS-CBN News

<figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments" id="isPasted"><img alt="This photo issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels swarming the area of Julian Felipe Reef taken December 2, 2023. Courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard" src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1706704246882.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><figcaption>This photo issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels swarming the area of Julian Felipe Reef taken December 2, 2023. <em>Courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard</em></figcaption></figure><p>MANILA -- Build on relationships and take legal action.</p><p>These are some of the advice offered by Retired Captain Carl Schuster, former Director of Operations of the US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, as to how the Philippines should address its territorial dispute with China.</p><p>In the forum “The Energy Security in the Philippines and Its Impact on the National Security of the West Philippine Sea” of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea, Schuster said international law acknowledges injuries inflicted on sailors at sea.</p><p>This is why China’s use of water cannon on Philippine vessels can be challenged legally, according to the former US military official. </p><ul><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/1/30/south-china-sea-still-a-point-of-contention-because-of-china-s-illegal-actions-marcos-jr-2358" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/1/30/south-china-sea-still-a-point-of-contention-because-of-china-s-illegal-actions-marcos-jr-2358">South China Sea still a &#x27;point of contention&#x27; because of China&#x27;s &#x27;illegal actions&#x27;: Marcos Jr.</a></li><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/22/24/chinese-coast-guard-harass-filipino-fishermen-anew" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/22/24/chinese-coast-guard-harass-filipino-fishermen-anew">Chinese coast guard harass Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal anew</a></li></ul><p><br/>“You take action that injures a sailor or damages as craft at sea, you can be taken to an admiralty court,” Schuster said.</p><p>“But no one ever takes them (China) to an international court. And I’m not saying China will agree to it, I’m not saying China will accept whatever judgments are made. But once again, it’s embarrassing publicity.”</p><p>“Look for ways that embarrass them and force them to do something under international attention and that will serve to constrain their behavior,” Schuster added.</p><p>He emphasized the need to turn the narrative on China who projects itself as an advocate of peace. As such, the Philippines must be ready with ways to counter China’s lies quickly.</p><ul><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/25/24/teodoro-urges-fishers-dont-sail-to-scarborough-alone" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/25/24/teodoro-urges-fishers-dont-sail-to-scarborough-alone">Defense chief urges fishermen: Don&#x27;t sail to Scarborough Shoal alone</a></li></ul><p><br/>According to Schuster, it is equally important to harness partnerships with allies such as the United States.</p><p>“Having a US Coast Guard vessel doing joint patrol with the Philippines when you start drilling, and perhaps invite a US military air presence during a period of it, and convince the US navy to occasionally have patrols down there as well. The idea is Philippines is not alone. Your defenses are increasing, your capabilities are increasing, but so is the strength of your partnerships. And that is something China has to worry about,” Schuster pointed out.</p><p>He also noted the importance of not giving in to pressure and compromises from China.</p><div><strong>STRENGTHEN PNOC </strong></div><figure><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YhvLFPOda_Y?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><p>Watch more News on <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></p><p>Due to the territorial dispute, the Philippines cannot explore and produce oil despite its big demand for it.</p><p>For exploration geologist Eduardo Mañalac, former Undersecretary of the Department of Energy, the Marcos administration needs to strengthen the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) in order to pursue oil exploration and production in the West Philippine Sea.</p><ul><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/21/23/only-china-believes-ph-to-blame-for-west-ph-sea-tension-gibo" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/21/23/only-china-believes-ph-to-blame-for-west-ph-sea-tension-gibo">Only China believes PH to blame for West PH Sea tension: Gibo</a></li></ul><p><br/>“The major oil companies don’t want to come in and drill and explore because of China. So we must depend on ourselves. And the first thing we must do is we must have a credible and strong national oil company,” Mañalac said.</p><p>One way of strengthening PNOC is by putting credible people in it, according to Mañalac. He also hopes President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. funds the organization.</p><ul><li><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/25/23/ph-rejects-chinas-claim-on-foreign-forces-stirring-trouble-in-west-ph-sea" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/25/23/ph-rejects-chinas-claim-on-foreign-forces-stirring-trouble-in-west-ph-sea">PH rejects China&#x27;s claim on &#x27;foreign forces stirring trouble&#x27; in West PH Sea</a></li></ul><p><br/>Mañalac also supports the strengthening of the country’s military capabilities and reducing political risk to attract prospective oil companies.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BoX6SkRFKBk?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><p>Watch more News on <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Retired Captain Carl Schuster emphasized the need to turn the narrative on China who projects itself as an advocate of peace.</p>

Retired Captain Carl Schuster emphasized the need to turn the narrative on China who projects itself as an advocate of peace.

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Ex-US captain advises PH to challenge China legally

Ex-US captain advises PH to challenge China legally

VICTORIA TULAD,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 31, 2024 08:33 PM PHT

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China

West Philippine Sea

Carl Schuster

United States

Philippines

Philippine Coast Guard

water cannon

US Coast Guard

territorial dispute

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