By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte upheld in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday (Sept. 22) the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines against China in the South China Sea issue.
Duterte said in his virtual speech at the UNGA high-level general debate that the 2016 award and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) “provide a clear path towards a just, fair, and win-win solution for all.”
“The Award must be seen for what it is – a benefit across the board to all who subscribe to the majesty of the law,” he said.
“No amount of willful disregard by any country, however big and powerful, can diminish the Arbitral Award’s importance,” he added.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July 2016 shut down Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the disputed territories. However, the ruling which Duterte said has become “part of international law” was never recognized by China.
Duterte called on all nations to commit to the rule of law “fully and firmly”, and to resolve disputes peacefully. A similar call was made in his speech at the UNGA in September last year.
Read more: PH President Duterte participates in the 75th session of UNGA
“For a world without law is a world of disaster, where the weak is at the mercy of the strong. There can therefore be no other acceptable basis for global order but the law,” he said.
“The Philippines is one with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and other stakeholders in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, security and prosperity,” he added.
Read more: EXPLAINER: Territorial dispute in WPS
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) later in March this year reported the sighting of around 220 Chinese militia vessels near the Julian Felipe Reef on Mar. 7.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Apr. 3 reiterated the government’s call for the vessels to leave the area. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media interview that Duterte “stands by the statements” of the defense chief.
“Hindi po nagbabago ang posisyon ng ating Presidente, ito po iyong kaniyang nabanggit na salita sa UN General Assembly. Unang-una po, hindi po natin isasakripisyo, hindi natin ipamimigay ang ating national territory at ang ating mga exclusive economic zone,” he said in his Apr. 5 briefing.
“Pangalawa po, naniniwala tayo at pinaninindigan natin ang arbitral decision na pabor sa atin. Pangatlo, iriresolba po natin ang hidwaang ito sa pamamagitan po nang mapayapang mga pamamaraan sang-ayon po sa UNCLOS,” he added. – # – bny
