South China Sea
Transgender Action Adventure by ALAN NAFZGER
South China Sea – Pecan Street Press
Lubbock ● Austin ● Fort Worth
South China Sea is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Amazon edition
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Copyright © 2016 Alan Nafzger
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 9781072087571
South China Sea
Written by Alan Nafzger – South China Sea
South China Sea FADE IN
BEGIN TITLES
INT. HOTEL BAR AND GRILL – SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES – DAY
Outside there is a successful surfing school and up and down the beach we can see a small surfing industry – other hotels, eateries and surf shops. Students, instructors, and plenty of people in the surf.
Inside, RILEY (27) was born a male but now has all the outward attributes of a woman. She is a transgender woman and did not need surgery or makeup, nor is there a need to try and sound like a woman it is all natural for her. Riley looks and sounds NOTHING like a man. It isn’t labored it is very natural.
Riley is waiting on diners, cooking and serving the surfing crowd. Riley does everything with a smile and grace.
RILEY’S MOTHER (68) is the clerk at the hotel desk. She smiles at Riley.
South China Sea
EXT. Navotas Fish Port – MANILA, PHILIPPINES – DAY
Nobleza (58) is the owner of 20 commercial fishing boats. He is out on the dock supervising the loading and unloading. He returns to his modest office.
INT. Navotas Fish Port – MANILA, PHILIPPINES – DAY
South China SeaWest
Nobleza sits at his computer; each vessel has GPS tracking equipment. He can see the location of his fleet. He pays some bills. He goes to the window and watches one of the boats leaving port. He walks out to the dock and examines food (milk, fruit, eggs and chicken) being put on a boat.
EXT. Scarborough Shoal – SOUTH CHINA SEA – DAY
A Filipino fishing boat is busy harvesting their catch. Everyone is working even the captain. They stop their work and look around. Ten Chinese fishing boats surround them. The Chinese crews on the boats are not working at fishing. The Filipino fishermen freeze, when they see the Chinese have moved near their boat and have automatic rifles pointed at them.
South China Sea
Suddenly without provocation the Chinese fisherman open fire. The Filipino fishing boat is riddled with bullets.
South China Sea
Filipino fishermen dive for cover and all manage to escape being shot. The boat however is riddled with bullets, some below the water line.
South China Sea
The Filipino captain fires an emergency flare.
South China Sea
END TITLES
The captain runs up to the wheelhouse and reaches for his radio microphone. With one in each hand, he addresses the situation.
Filipino CAPTAIN
This is the captain of the Princes Di. We are being attacked. International waters. Chinese fishing boats armed with automatic rifles. 15.2191° N, 117.7403° E. Request assistance.
The captain reaches for the PA microphone.
Filipino CAPTAIN
The International tribunal ruled that both China and the Philippines have the rights to fish here.
CHINESE CAPTAIN
Look, there is a Chinese flag.
The Filipino captain looks at a rock sticking out of the water. There is a Chinese flag over the shoal.
Filipino CAPTAIN
It’s wasn’t there last week.
CHINESE CAPTAIN
And here you are in our territorial waters, without arms.
Filipino CAPTAIN
For generations, this has been a fertile fishing ground that has provided a livelihood for fishermen from China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.
CHINESE CAPTAIN
Things change.
Filipino CAPTAIN
We can’t find new fishing grounds. Sometimes we can go for days without catching anything.
CHINESE CAPTAIN
That sounds like a personal problem.
A crewmember arrives in the wheelhouse.
Filipino CREW
We should have come with a smaller boat so we can sneak in under the radar.
Filipino CAPTAIN
I hate this cat-and-mouse game.
The Chinese begin to open fire again. It’s just target practice for them.
Suddenly in the distance, we hear a military ship’s alarm. The Filipino Captain looks out and there is a Chinese destroyer steaming toward them at flank speed.
The Chinese fishing ships disburse; they stow the weapons. They suddenly appear to be fishing.
The Chinese navy only laughs at the frantic efforts of the fishermen to save their boat.
INT. HOTEL BAR AND GRILL – SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES – DAY
Riley is working at the grill, cooking and serving an Australian surf magazine PHOTOGRAPHER/WRITER. His photography gear and press credentials are on the counter of the bar. The writer thinks he is speaking with a woman.
WRITER
So you grew up here?
RILEY
I did. My father was a fisherman; when he died we sold the boat and bought this hotel.
WRITER
I’m sorry about your dad.
RILEY
Thanks.
WRITER
You were close?
RILEY
You might say that. We floated around for three days when his first boat sank.
WRITER
What?
(half beat)
Three days?
(half beat)
The open water?
RILEY
Sharks, thirst, eventually hunger.
WRITER
I don’t know how you managed that.
RILEY
He slept and then I slept, in turns.
WRITER
How old were you?
RILEY
Ten. I was ten.
WRITER
Can I interview you?
RILEY
What for?
WRITER
The magazine.
RILEY
I really don’t talk about it.
WRITER
I can understand that. Brings back bad memories?
RILEY
It wasn’t fun, no. But my dad and I…
WRITER
Yea.
RILEY
Let’s just say he gave me a break after that.
WRITER
Oh, yea. You guys were closer cause you went through that.
RILEY
Good thing.
WRITER
I see.
Long beat.
WRITER
This hotel was a smart move.
RILEY
Yes. I think so.
WRITER
Just you and your mom?
RILEY
Brother and sister, but they’re in Manila.
WRITER
Older than you?
RILEY
I’m the baby.
WRITER
Can I take your photo?
RILEY
Of course.
WRITER
Move over there in front of the menu.
The writer snaps a photo of Riley and the menu, maybe for his magazine.
WRITER
So you’re attractive. You seeing anyone?
RILEY
Here in this town?
Riley chuckles.
WRITER
What’s wrong with this town? Too small?
RILEY
I’m not seeing anyone.
WRITER
So what is there to do around here?
RILEY
You can take me up to the Twist and Shout.
WRITER
That club at the other end of the beach?
RILEY
That’s about the only place, if you want to go out at night.
WRITER
Sure. Let’s.
RILEY
But I want to ask you a question. What if you find out that a lady is not a real lady? I mean what would your reaction be?
WRITER
A lady, what do you mean? Like naughty?
RILEY
No, I mean what if they turned out to be a man?
WRITER
What lady is a man, around here?
RILEY
Yes, a lady is a man…
WRITER
You aren’t a man so what do I care?
RILEY
I mean mean “queens” they are male but dress like women.
WRITER
In my circle, professional surfer, I just don’t run across many.
RILEY
Never?
WRITER
I saw a lot in Thailand, but… That’s their problem.
RILEY
So…
WRITER
I don’t get upset. I guess maybe if they tried to trick me… I would not like it.
(beat)
Why do you ask?
RILEY
Because I’m what you think…
WRITER
I’m not sure what you are saying.
RILEY
Because I’m not a real woman…
WRITER
What?
RILEY
I’m a ladyboy.
WRITER
Get out of here.
RILEY
I’m so sorry; I’m just being honest…
INT. Scarborough Shoal – SOUTH CHINA SEA – DAY
The Chinese destroyer arrives and the Filipino crew all come out from their hiding places. They are blasted by a fire hose. Several are stuck directly with the stream of water and rolled over the deck. Many are injured with knees, elbows and head slamming into the deck.
The Chinese sailors laugh.
INT. HOTEL BAR AND GRILL – SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES – DAY
WRITER
No!
RILEY
Yes. Really.
WRITER
It’s an interesting phenomenon.
Riley picks up the magazine off the counter and flips through the pages.
RILEY
By the way, I’m impressed with your photography… you’re smart.
WRITER
Now, let me ask you some questions about that…
RILEY
Yes. I don’t want to hurt anyone.
WRITER
Frankly, I’m somewhat ignorant about such things.
RILEY
I don’t want to play or trick you.
WRITER
But it’s so hard to believe.
RILEY
Because honesty it makes me free…
(half beat)
I can’t please everybody but it’s nice if you can be true to yourself.
WRITER
Good. I agree. Thanks.
(beat)
In Thailand, the ladyboys…
RILEY
Just ladies.
WRITER
Okay.
(half beat)
You are naturally this way without any chemicals or surgery to pass for a woman?
RILEY
There’s no surgery done with me… It’s all natural… not like others do… No thank you to doctors. My mother would kill me…
WRITER
She hopes you will revert to being a man again?
RILEY
Maybe. She hopes.
WRITER
People, well… I didn’t think you were a man.
RILEY
Well, I’m a woman trapped in man’s body…
WRITER
No worries. I’m not judging. We probably will NOT be married you and I but of course we can be friends. That sounds reasonable I think.
RILEY
You have been all over the world. You understand maybe?
WRITER
I thought you were a real woman.
RILEY
Yes, a real woman by heart…that’s why I’m trapped.
WRITER
Oh, well I understand.
(half beat)
How does this happen?
RILEY
I have no idea.
WRITER
Biologically? Generically? I mean mind over matter, but cause you don’t look like a man.
RILEY
Thanks.
WRITER
Some gay men are clearly men and dress up.
RILEY
But they fail.
WRITER
You however…
RILEY
Well, thank you. I appreciate you saying that.
WRITER
It’s in your mind you think?
RILEY
What?
WRITER
Your mind has the power to change your voice and your body? Or is it genetics?
Riley doesn’t know the answer and just shrugs.
WRITER
I mean, if you had to could be become a man?
RILEY
Never really tried.
West Philippine Sea
WRITER
What did people tell you happened to make you look sound and look like a woman.
RILEY
An feel…
WRITER
Help me out here.
RILEY
I don’t worry about it too much.
INT. Scarborough Shoal – SOUTH CHINA SEA – DAY
The captain starts the boat and turns back toward the Philippines. All the while under the Chinese fire hose.
INT. HOTEL BAR AND GRILL – SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES – DAY
RILEY
I don’t care what people say about me… this is me… I’m happy of being me.
WRITER
Okay, that’s good. Most people don’t know you are a man?
RILEY
They buy coffee or a hamburger and think I’m a woman.
WRITER
Men flirt with you?
RILEY
You did.
WRITER
(chuckling)
I did, didn’t I.
RILEY
Some they know. But I don’t really care if they know or not.
WRITER
You’re free.
RILEY
What matters the most I didn’t hurt anyone.
WRITER
Now about Thailand…
RILEY
Philippines is a completely different country from Thailand.
(half beat)
First, it is a Roman Catholic country and their religion does not accept us.
WRITER
So that gets in the way you think?
RILEY
Never been a hindrance for me.
(half beat)
And being unrecognized from our religion doesn’t even stop us from believing in the religion.
(half beat)
For instance, I go to church every Sunday.
WRITER
Here?
RILEY
No, I go in the neighboring city.
(half beat)
There are three other ladies who meet there and we sit on the back row.
WRITER
This is incredible.
RILEY
That we go to church?
WRITER
You don’t feel oppressed?
RILEY
It’s not that we are prohibited or it’s against the law; it’s just that there’s not so many of us.
WRITER
So tell me a story of some experience you had.
RILEY
You going to put me in your magazine?
WRITER
Probably not you, but the hotel and your café here.
RILEY
You will be shocked and you won’t believe things that have happened.
EXT. Navotas Fish Port – MANILA, PHILIPPINES – DAY
The captain with the bullet riddled boat docks and almost runs into Nobleza’s office. The fishermen exit the boat and they look a bit shell shocked.
INT. Navotas Fish Port – MANILA, PHILIPPINES – DAY
Nobleza sits at his desk and listens calmly to the story. The captain’s gestures show he is still agitated.
INT. HOTEL DESK – SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES – DAY
Riley walks past his mother.
MOTHER
Riley, where are you going?
RILEY
To put those towels out by the pool.
MOTHER
It can wait.
(long beat)
Your brother and sister can’t bring themselves to tolerate your feelings.
RILEY
I know. But you can’t force them.
MOTHER
Well, they were already in college when you were born. They don’t know your kind heart.
RILEY
Thanks mom.
MOTHER
Your father knew what a strong person your are.
(half beat)
I want to tell you something.
RILEY
Okay.
MOTHER
I’m getting old.
RILEY
No, mom. You’re still young.
MOTHER
Well, listen. I’m leaving the hotel to you.
RILEY
Mom.
MOTHER
Your brother and sister have money and property in Manila.
RILEY
They will be even more removed.
MOTHER
And you are so happy here.
(half beat)
The will is here.
Mother points to the open safe and she touches an envelope inside.
RILEY
Gee, mom. I don’t know what to say.
MOTHER
Don’t say anything, just be happy.
RILEY
This is a good building.
MOTHER
Enjoy it.
RILEY
You will outlive me, so go on.
MOTHER
It is a nice beach. Keep everything clean and you will never want for food or shelter.
RILEY
Thanks mom.
EXT. Seafood Market – MANILA – DAY
The Riley’s BROTHER owns a large fish market, he is in a suit and tie watching workers load and unload tubs of fish. A fish falls out of a tub and is mashed by the wheels of a cart. It is only worth a few pesos but Riley’s brother notices.
BROTHER
I’m taking that out of your pay.
The worker turns to look at the pancaked fish. He looks at Riley’s brother and knows the boss is serious.
BROTHER
Well, what are you looking at? I don’t pay you to stand around. There are a hundred wanting your job.
The worker returns to work.
The Riley’s brother’s cell phone rings.
BROTHER
Hello, mom. Oh, it’s you.
Long beat.
Riley’s brother listens but then doesn’t respond. He ends the phone call. He looks very stonefaced, without emotion.
He leaves the fish market for his black Mercedes Benz car. We see the luxury car zoom out of the parking lot.
INT. Grand Palace RESTAURANT – DAY
Riley’s SISTER is married to a wealthy restaurateur/banker. There is a food critic in the restaurant who wants to speak with Riley’s sister.
SISTER
I know who you are. You’re the food critic for the newspaper.
critic
You don’t mind if I ask you some questions?
SISTER
Of course not.
critic
This is a historic building, how have you been here?
SISTER
- It’s the restaurant of my husband’s family.
critic
And your husband can I speak with him?
SISTER
He doesn’t work here. He is the president of the Metro Manila bank.
critic
Okay, I see.
SISTER
Can I see your kitchen?
critic
This way.
An employee brings Riley’s sister a phone.
SISTER
Ma? Oh.
(long beat)
No.
Riley’s sister is also stone faced and without emotion. She ignores the restaurant critic.
Riley’s sister goes into an office, pulls a document out of her safe. She writes a few things on the paper, she puts it in an envelope. She takes the envelope and leaves the resurant. She gets into her luxury car.
INT. HOTEL BATHROOM – SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES – DAY
Riley has been on the phone and ends the call. Riley’s mom is dead and naked sitting in the bathtub. Eyes open.
It is a sudden and unexplained death. Riley is destroyed. Tears. Riley sits on the toilet but doesn’t close his mothers eyes. Riley just stares at his mother.
INT. HOTEL DESK – SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES – DAY
Riley is distraught and downstairs at the desk, when the coroner’s office wheels his mother’s body out of the building.
Riley’s brother and sister enter unemotional and watch their mother carted away.
The sister approaches Riley. Clearly there is tension.
Riley’s sister takes her jewelry off.
SISTER
Can you put these in the safe?
Riley turns and opens the safe. He gestures to his sister that the safe is open.
Riley puts two room keys on the counter and walks out to the pool. She sits and watches the sun set.
Riley’s sister puts the jewelry in the safe and then glances to make sure Riley is not watching. Riley’s brother positions himself where he will be able to see if Riley returns.
She goes through the various papers in the safe. She finds the will and removes it from the envelope. She reads it.
She nods to her brother, confirming their suspicion. She folds the original will up and replaces it with a will she has forged.
She nods to her brother and shuts the safe. Riley’s brother and sister take the keys off the counter and go to their rooms.
Upstairs in her room, Riley’s sister shreds the original will and flushes it down the toilet.
INT. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE – DAY
The attorney charged with handling the estate, hands Riley’s brother and sister copies of the will.
RILEY
Aren’t you going to read it?
LAWYER
The reading of a will is a familiar scene in movies and mystery novels. Although it makes a handy and rather dramatic plot device, lawyers don’t normally read wills anymore.
SISTER
Here I will read it. This is my favourite part, “Riley you are a vile and depraved deviant of God’s law and you are undeserving of my support. You will need to get a job and stop acting like a girl.”
RILEY
Mother didn’t write that.
SISTER
Didn’t she?
The lawyer, the brother and sister all look at Riley like he’s insane or delusional.
Long beat.
LAWYER
(to Riley)
Rather than do this, let me get you a copy of the will. That might expedite any contest of the will since you probably feel you were disinherited.
The lawyer leaves the room to use the copying machine.
Long beat.
SISTER
You need to be out by tomorrow. We are selling the hotel and you can’t be there polluting the sale.
The lawyer returns.
LAWYER
(to Riley)
Okay, here is your copy.
(to brother and sister)
If anyone has any questions please let me know.
The brother and sister rise, shake hands and leave the room.
Riley sits in shock.
INT. VARIOUS WORK LOCATIONS – DAY
BEGIN FEMALE WORK MONTAGE
Riley, as a woman, works at a fish tackle shop and is then fired.
Riley works selling at a fish market and then is fired.
Riley works at a fast food eatery and again is fired.
Riley’s physical condition, nutrition and health deteriorate at each stage. Riley’s appearance of a well groomed female declines without the nice clothes and makeup. Riley looses some of the charm and femininity.
END FEMALE WORK MONTAGE
INT. Hair SALON – DAY
Riley takes her last few pesos and has her hair cut as a man.
INT. VARIOUS WORK LOCATIONS – DAY
BEGIN MALE WORK MONTAGE
Riley applies for a job at a convenience store, but the owner shakes his head there aren’t any jobs.
Riley applies for work at a construction site and the foreman shakes his head there aren’t any jobs.
Riley takes a job as a referee for a youth soccer league. But he is so run down and undernourished and faints on the field and has to be carted off. His boss gives him an energy bar and a drink, but we can tell from his expression there won’t be anymore work.
END MALE WORK MONTAGE
EXT. STREETS OF MANILA – DAY
BEGIN THE BEGGING MONTAGE
Riley simply gives up and walks the streets.
Riley walks into his brother-in-law’s bank. He is promptly escorted out of the building by security.
Riley approaches his brother at the fish market. All the workers are strong and physically developed from all the lifting. Riley appears to be asking for a job. The brother also looks at his small physique and even grabs his skinny “girl” arms. The brother shakes his head, ‘no’.
Riley walks to his sister’s restaurant and wants a meal. We can see from his gestures that he is hungry. He points to a meal left on a table not yet cleared. Riley sits down and finishes the meal. The sister leaves for her office. She picks up the phone.
END THE BEGGING MONTAGE
The police enter the restaurant, just as Riley is finishing the last fork full of food.
POLICE
Excuse me, they said you didn’t pay.
RILEY
The people at this table before me paid. They have cameras.
Riley gestures to the security cameras.
The cops are befuddled.
RILEY
I’m just finishing what they left.
The cops are still befuddled.
RILEY
They ordered and ate. She left rather a lot. They paid. I’m just finishing what they left.
The police look around for a manager or the complainant.
POLICE
So…
RILEY
My sister is the owner. She invited me to sit down.
POLICE
Someone called us and said you couldn’t pay.
RILEY
That’s my sister. And she calls me a drama queen.
POLICE
Okay, we will go talk to her.
The policemen enter kitchen and then the office.
POLICE
He says he is your brother.
SISTER
I don’t know that person. Last week he was a woman, so who are you going to believe? Look at him, is he a man or a woman?
The police think it is an odd story. But they return to Riley.
POLICE
You aren’t under arrest, but you’re going to have to leave, so come on.
RILEY
Okay, tell her thanks for the meal.
The police escort Riley out of the restaurant. Riley leaves proudly and walks out as a woman, however his appearance is that of a man.
People are staring and seem repulsed by having to witness the event.
Riley
Enjoy your meal.
Riley sits on a bench and looks improved with a meal in his stomach.
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by the shores of South China (hence the name), in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan), and in the south by Borneo, eastern Sumatra and the Bangka Belitung Islands, encompassing an area of around 3,500,000 km2 (1,400,000 sq mi). It communicates with the East China Sea via the Taiwan Strait, the Philippine Sea via the Luzon Strait, the Sulu Sea via the straits around Palawan (e.g. the Mindoro and Balabac Strait), the Strait of Malacca via the Strait of Singapore, and the Java Sea via the Karimata and Bangka Strait. The Gulf of Thailand and the Gulf of Tonkin are also part of the South China Sea. The shallow waters south of the Riau Islands are also known as the Natuna Sea.
The South China Sea is a region of tremendous economic and geostrategic importance. One-third of the world’s maritime shipping passes through it, carrying over US$3 trillion in trade each year.[1] Huge oil and natural gas reserves are believed to lie beneath its seabed.[2] It also contains lucrative fisheries, which are crucial for the food security of millions in Southeast Asia.
The South China Sea Islands, collectively comprising several archipelago clusters of mostly small uninhabited islands, islets (cays and shoals), reefs/atolls and seamounts numbering in the hundreds, are subject to competing claims of sovereignty by several countries. These claims are also reflected in the variety of names used for the islands and the sea.
South China Sea is the dominant term used in English for the sea, and the name in most European languages is equivalent. This name is a result of early European interest in the sea as a route from Europe and South Asia to the trading opportunities of China. In the sixteenth century Portuguese sailors called it the China Sea (Mare da China); later needs to differentiate it from nearby bodies of water led to calling it the South China Sea.[4] The International Hydrographic Organization refers to the sea as “South China Sea (Nan Hai)”.[5]
The Yizhoushu, which was a chronicle of the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BCE), gives the first Chinese name for the South China Sea as Nanfang Hai (Chinese: 南方海; pinyin: Nánfāng Hǎi; lit. ‘Southern Sea’), claiming that barbarians from that sea gave tributes of hawksbill sea turtles to the Zhou rulers.[6] The Classic of Poetry, Zuo Zhuan, and Guoyu classics of the Spring and Autumn period (771–476 BCE) also referred to the sea, but by the name Nan Hai (Chinese: 南海; pinyin: Nán Hǎi; lit. ‘South Sea’) in reference to the State of Chu’s expeditions there.[6] Nan Hai, the South Sea, was one of the Four Seas of Chinese literature. There are three other seas, one for each of the four cardinal directions.[7] During the Eastern Han dynasty (23–220 CE), China’s rulers called the sea Zhang Hai (Chinese: 漲海; pinyin: Zhǎng Hǎi; lit. ‘distended sea’).[6] Fei Hai (Chinese: 沸海; pinyin: Fèi Hǎi; lit. ‘boil sea’) became popular during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. Usage of the current Chinese name, Nan Hai (South Sea), gradually became widespread during the Qing Dynasty.[8]
In Southeast Asia it was once called the Champa Sea or Sea of Cham, after the maritime kingdom of Champa (nowadays Central Vietnam), which flourished there before the sixteenth century.[9] The majority of the sea came under Japanese naval control during World War II following the military acquisition of many surrounding South East Asian territories in 1941. Japan calls the sea Minami Shina Kai “South China Sea”. This was written 南支那海 until 2004, when the Japanese Foreign Ministry and other departments switched the spelling to 南シナ海, which has become the standard usage in Japan. “West Philippine Sea” is the official designation by the Philippine government of eastern parts of the South China Sea that are included in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The term is also sometimes incorrectly used to refer to the South China Sea as a whole.
In China, it is called the “South Sea”, 南海 (Nánhǎi), and in Vietnam the “East Sea”, Biển Đông.[10][11][12] In Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, it was long called the “South China Sea” (Dagat Timog Tsina in Tagalog, Laut China Selatan in Malay), with the part within Philippine territorial waters often called the “Luzon Sea”, Dagat Luzon, by the Philippines.[13]
However, following an escalation of the Spratly Islands dispute in 2011, various Philippine government agencies started using the name West Philippine Sea. A Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) spokesperson said that the sea to the east of the Philippines will continue to be called the Philippine Sea.[14] In September 2012, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III signed Administrative Order No. 29, mandating that all government agencies use the name West Philippine Sea to refer to the parts of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, including the Luzon Sea as well as the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc, and tasked the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) to use the name in official maps.[15][16]
In July 2017, to assert its sovereignty, Indonesia renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the “North Natuna Sea”, which is located north of the Indonesian Natuna Islands, bordering the southern Vietnam exclusive economic zone, corresponding to the southern end of the South China Sea.[17] The “Natuna Sea” is located south of Natuna Island within Indonesian territorial waters.[18] Therefore, Indonesia has named two seas that are portions of the South China Sea; the Natuna Sea located between Natuna Islands and the Lingga and Tambelan Archipelagos, and the North Natuna Sea located between the Natuna Islands and Cape Cà Mau on the southern tip of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
West Philippine Sea
West Philippine Sea is the official designation by the Philippine government of eastern parts of the South China Sea which are included in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The term is also sometimes incorrectly used to refer to the South China Sea as a whole.
West Philippine Sea – Background
The first use of the term “West Philippine Sea” by the Philippine national government was as early as 2011, during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.[1] The naming was intended for purposes of the national mapping system[2] and to symbolize disagreement with China’s sovereignty claim over the whole South China Sea.[3]
In the House of Representatives, Akbayan representative Walden Bello filed a resolution in June 2011 urging the government to look into the process of changing the name of the South China Sea to “Western Philippine Sea”.[4] The proposal to have a different naming for the sea has received support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which has been using West Philippine Sea since the mid-2000s[5] That was codified by administrative order in September 2012, and its application clarified as limited to waters within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which mandated use of that term by departments, subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities of the Philippine government.[2] The Philippine government then announced that it would start using the name to refer to waters west of the Philippines as “West Philippine Sea” in government maps, other forms of communication and documents.[1]
In September 2012, the Philippine government announced that it would start using the name to refer to waters west of the Philippines as “West Philippine Sea” in government maps, other forms of communication and documents.[1]
2016 PCA ruling
On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines in a case not involving naming. It clarified that “[T]he Tribunal has not been asked to, and does not purport to, delimit any maritime boundary between the Parties or involving any other State bordering on the South China Sea”.[6][7][8] The tribunal also ruled that China has “no historical rights” based on the “nine-dash line” map.[7][8]
Legal scope
There is no exact demarcation of boundaries for the area in the South China Sea which forms the West Philippine Sea.[3] The Administrative order which officially named the area defined it as follows:
The maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago are hereby named as the West Philippine Sea. These areas include the Luzon Sea as well as the waters around within the adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.
— Sec. 1, Administrative Order No. 29 (2012)[2]
In Philippine law, the West Philippine Sea refers only to the portions of the South China Sea which the Philippine government claims to be part of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The naming of the area became official through Administrative Order No. 29 issued by then-President Benigno Aquino III on September 5, 2012. The order also cites Presidential Decree No. 1599 which was issued in 1978 during the tenure of then President Ferdinand Marcos which established the Philippine EEZ as well as the Republic Act No. 9522 or the Baselines Law which was enacted into law in 2009 during the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which delineated the baselines of the Philippine archipelago.[9]
The administrative order asserts the Philippine claim over its EEZ in the South China Sea which conveys the Philippine government’s position that it has sovereign rights under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over the West Philippine Sea area and “inherent power and right to designate its maritime areas with appropriate nomenclature for purposes of the national mapping system”.[9]
Usage
Under the Administrative Order No. 29, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority is mandated to use the designation West Philippine Sea in maps produced and published by the government agency. Other government agencies are also required to use the term to popularize the use of the name domestically and internationally.[9]
Prior to the issuance of the order, the Philippines’ weather bureau, PAGASA, adopted the name in 2011 to refer to waters west of the country while remained using “Philippine Sea” to refer waters east of the archipelago.[10]
The term “West Philippine Sea” has sometimes been incorrectly used to refer to whole South China Sea.[11]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Philippine_Sea
Originally posted 2022-01-17 14:01:31.
