The Philippines’ fight for its rights in the disputed South China Sea continues five years after the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines and dismissed China’s nine-dash line claim.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the country’s victory is final and should be recognized by all countries.
“The Philippines is proud to have contributed to the international rules based order with the affirmation and the strengthening of the legal order over the seas,” Locsin said in his fifth Anniversary of the Issuance of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration message.
“The award is final, we firmly reject attempts to undermine it, even erase it from our law history and collective memory… The present that we need and the future that we want is a peaceful South China Sea,” he added.
Malacaῆang said President Duterte’s directive to continue the country’s activities in the disputed waters remains to ensure that the country’s rights are protected.
It added that any forms or harassment against fisherfolks must be investigated.
“Nagpapatuloy po ang order ng Pangulo sa Coast Guard na maglayag sa karagatan at protektahan ang mga mangingisda at paalisin ang mangingisdang dayuhan,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his July 12 briefing.
Roque also responded to former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario after claiming President Rodrigo Duterte’s failure of leadership over the country’s rights to the territory.
“If you want to talk about who that real traitor is, ikaw iyon! Ikaw ang namigay ng teritoryo sa Tsina. At ikaw, habang hindi ka makapagpakita ng teritoryo na binigay ng Presidente Duterte sa ibang bansa, manahimik ka diyan dahil eh ikaw nga ang may pananagutan diyan,” Roque said.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon filed Resolution No. 769 to recognize the ruling which was awarded during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III.
“The Philippines should continue to call for adherence to international law, rally other coastal states in calling for compliance with the landmark award by the PCA, and maintain a peaceful and diplomatic assertion of the arbitral award, resolute in our conviction that the rule of law should be upheld and never compromised,” Drilon said.
Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez also filed a resolution recognizing July 12 as West Philippine Sea Day of Victory.
“This declaration will celebrate our government’s July 12, 2016 triumph before the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld our country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, much of which our frenemy China is illegally claiming as part of its territory,” Rodriguez said.
The United States and European Union and other countries also sent their message of support over the rights of the Philippines to its own territory.
“The Tribunal stated that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has no lawful claim to the area determined by the Arbitral Tribunal to be part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The PRC and the Philippines, pursuant to their treaty obligations under the Law of the Sea Convention, are legally bound to comply with this decision,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
“We further reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety, and the right of freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, as well as the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS,” the EU delegation said. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio/AG-rir
Watch full report here: