GMA resident analyst Richard Heydarian on Tuesday expressed concern about the negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

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Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Heydarian pointed out that if not negotiated properly, the Code of Conduct could be a trap.

“So puwedeng maging trap actually itong Code of Conduct if hindi properly ma-negotiate ‘yun. Hindi lang puwede hindi effective na hindi legally binding, puwede actually maging trap,” Heydarian said.

“Ang problema din dito, ‘yung Chinese understanding ng Code of Conduct ay medyo delikado din kasi ang gusto ng China, itanggal na ‘yung UNCLOS [United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea]. Gusto nila ‘yung kanilang interpretation ng international law at gusto ng China, kasama doon sa Code of Conduct negotiations, may situation kung saan puwedeng sabihin ng China na huwag ng mag-joint exercise ‘yung mga Southeast Asian countries with external powers,” he explained.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier expressed disappointment over the delay in the negotiations for a COC, noting that due to the delay, there will be higher chances
that a maritime incident would happen.

Duterte vowed that the Philippines would continue to push for the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News

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