CHINA’S audacious assertion that Palawan was historically part of its territory is not only baseless but also a direct affront to international law. This claim contradicts the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The Philippines must respond decisively with enhanced maritime patrols, a strengthened military presence, diplomatic protests, and deeper alliances with regional and global partners to counter China’s revisionist claims and expansionist agenda,” declared Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, Chairman Emeritus of the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reform (PADER), Liga Independencia ng Pilipinas ( LIPI ) and Alyansa ng Bayan para sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD ) during a forum on Monday. Goitia was responding to China’s recently revived claims over Palawan.
He said China has long sought to expand its territorial reach in the South China Sea, relying on selective historical narratives to justify its sweeping claims. The Chinese government has recently asserted that Palawan, along with other territories in the West Philippine Sea, historically fell under Chinese influence, citing ancient voyages and antiquated maps. However, such claims fall apart when subjected to legal scrutiny. This latest assertion aligns with China’s broader expansionist strategy, which includes the widely contested nine-dash line, a claim that was decisively struck down by the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling in favor of the Philippines.
Dr. Goitia, who is also the 1st nominee of the Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas (ABP) Party List, underscored the ironclad legitimacy of Philippine sovereignty over Palawan, emphasizing that “Palawan is an integral part of the Philippine archipelago. Under UNCLOS, which China ratified in 1996, coastal states have full sovereignty over their archipelagic waters, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf. Palawan’s surrounding waters, including the West Philippine Sea, fall squarely within the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf, granting the nation exclusive rights over maritime resources, fisheries, and hydrocarbon reserves.”
He further dismantled China’s claim that Palawan was once called “Zheng He Island,” asserting that “international law does not recognize sovereignty based on ancient exploration or historical narratives but on effective control, governance, and legal recognition.”
Citing the 2016 PCA ruling, Dr. Goitia highlighted that historical claims alone are insufficient to establish sovereignty or maritime entitlements. The tribunal’s decision explicitly rejected China’s sweeping assertions over the South China Sea, reaffirming that such claims must adhere to established legal frameworks, not unilateral reinterpretations of history.
The historical record overwhelmingly supports the Philippines’ sovereignty over Palawan. Dr. Goitia noted that Palawan has long been recognized as part of the Philippines in international treaties. The 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain cede the Philippines, including Palawan, to the United States. The 1900 Treaty of Washington reaffirmed US sovereignty over additional islands, including Palawan. The 1930 US-Britain Convention further reinforced Palawan’s legal status as part of the Philippine territory. Upon Philippine independence in 1946, the Republic of the Philippines inherited full sovereignty over Palawan.
Beyond its wealth of maritime resources, Palawan serves as a critical military bulwark in the West Philippine Sea.
“Palawan is not just a resource-rich province; it is the Philippines’ frontline defense against foreign aggression,” Dr. Goitia emphasized.
He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines, alongside allied forces such as the United States, actively conduct military operations, joint exercises, and surveillance missions from strategic bases, including Naval Station Carlito Cunanan (Ulugan Bay) and Antonio Bautista Air Base (Puerto Princesa).
“Palawan is a forward operating base for Philippine and allied forces, serving as a deterrent against incursions into the country’s territorial waters,” he added. The Philippine military operates coastal radar and monitoring systems in Palawan to track unauthorized movements in the West Philippine Sea, making it a crucial staging ground for rapid military deployment in maritime defense operations.
“By attempting to assert control over Palawan, China is targeting the Philippines’ military posture and regional security architecture,” he stated. This move mirrors Beijing’s tactics in enforcing its discredited nine-dash line claim. Under UNCLOS, sovereignty cannot be established through unilateral declarations or revisionist historical claims but must be supported by recognized legal processes.
Goitia exposed China’s aggressive tactics as part of a broader strategy to dominate the South China Sea. “China employs military intimidation, economic leverage, and diplomatic coercion to weaken the legitimate claims of other nations. It has consistently disregarded international norms by constructing artificial islands, militarizing disputed areas, and harassing Filipino fishermen within Philippine waters,” he asserted. These actions, he stressed, constitute blatant violations of Philippine sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.
He underscored the necessity for the Philippines to bolster its defense posture and assert its legal rights in the international arena. “China’s expansionist ambitions threaten not just Philippine sovereignty but also regional stability and freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical trade routes,” he cautioned.
“As China intensifies its aggressive maneuvers, the Philippines must respond with unwavering resolve. By reinforcing its military presence, strengthening alliances, and standing firm on international law, the nation can effectively counter Beijing’s attempts to rewrite history and undermine Philippine sovereignty,” Goitia said. (BS)
