We note the special Social Weather Stations (SWS) National Mobile phone survey on Filipino public opinion on China, sponsored by the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute, which shows 70% of Filipinos believe that the Philippine government should assert its rights over the islands in the West Philippine Sea.
As we have said in previous occasions, the Philippine government continues to assert our rights over the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with the 2016 Arbitral Ruling. We have not waived nor have we relinquished these rights. Unfortunately, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling has no way of being enforced by the body which rendered it, so we must look to other means to resolve the dispute.
While we are looking at peaceful and diplomatic means to resolve the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea, these do not make up the sum total of our relations with China. We agree to disagree on the arbitral tribunal ruling and will proceed with our bilateral relations with China, especially on matters related to trade and the economics.
