MANILA, Philippines – Nanindigan ang Philippine Embassy sa Beijing sa soberanya ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea, kasabay ng paggiit sa 2016 arbitral award, kasabay ng isang forum na pinangunahan ng Chinese think tank.
Sa forum na dinaluhan ng mga legal scholar, policy experts, at regional analysts na pawang mga kritikal sa arbitral ruling at aksyon ng Pilipinas sa pinag-aagawang teritoryo.
Sinabi ng embahada sa press statement na ginamit ng Philippine delegation ang oportunidad upang igiit ang legal weight ng ruling at pagtugon sa international law.
“The Award, along with its annexes, proves the validity and legality of Philippine claims, and they are available for everyone to study and read,” pahayag ng representative ng embahada kasabay ng plenary intervention.
Ibinasura kasi ng ruling mula sa Permanent Court of Arbitration sa The Hague noong 2016, ang sinasabi ng China patungkol sa kanilang “nine-dash line” na umaangkin sa malaking bahagi ng South China Sea, sabay-sabing wala itong legal na basehan sa ilalim ng United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Kaugnay naman ng akusasyon na gumagawa ng gulo ang Pilipinas sa rehiyon, sinabi rin ng Philippine representative na naninindigan ito para sa diplomasya at constructive engagement.
“We disagree with the notion that the Philippines is not willing to engage with China. In fact, even with the Arbitral Award, the Philippines has continued to make efforts to keep lines of communication open, maintain proper dialogue, and engage positively with China as well as other claimant States, both bilaterally and regionally, within the context of our legally settled claims in accordance with UNCLOS and international law,” ayon pa sa opisyal.
“We hope China’s actions demonstrate genuine willingness to engage and to produce constructive and positive outcomes,” dagdag pa. RNT/JGC
