Malacañang has expressed gratitude towards the show of support of France, Germany, and United Kingdom to the Philippines on the 2016 arbitral ruling in the South China Sea which favors the Philippines over China.
France, Germany, and UK have sent a note verbale to the United Nations regarding their views on the matter.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, even if China is consistently denying the 2016 arbitral award, it will remain as a triumph of the Philippines.
However, he pointed out that amidst the pandemic, the Philippines should not force the issue since the country has already proven its right.
“Alam kasi ninyo hindi naiintidihan ng marami na iyong desisyon itself is the victory, iyong pagkakaroon ng desisyon itself is the act of being assertive dahil kung hindi naman natin pinursue iyong desisyon na iyan, iyong kasong iyan hindi magkakaroon ng desisyon. (You know, many do not understand that the decision itself is the victory, having a decision itself is the act of being assertive because if we did not pursue that decision, that case will not have a decision).”
Report from Mela Lesmoras