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In this March 30, 2014 file photo, Philippine marines raise the Philippine flag on the first day of their deployment to the dilapidated navy ship LT57 BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, known locally as Ayungin. Shoal, facing the Western Philippine Sea. . AP PHOTO / BULLIT MARQUEZ
MANILA, Philippines – After invoking the country’s arbitration victory against China at the United Nations, President Rodrigo Duterte’s next step is to make this a reality, former Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario said Wednesday.
During his debut at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Duterte affirmed the 2016 ruling of the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China’s claim on the entire South China Sea, including the Western Philippine Sea.
“We certainly welcome the fact that President Duterte invoked the 2016 arbitration award won by the Philippines against China regarding the South China Sea at the 75th UN General Assembly,” Del Rosario said in an interview on the ABS-CBN news.
“By invoking the arbitration award, the president has acted more faithfully to our Constitution, which orders him and our army to ensure the sovereignty of our country and protect our lands and seas.”
“The next step is for our President and his administration to make the invocation of the arbitration award a reality. Our government should work more seriously to obtain the support of more countries so that the arbitration award is lifted next year for the UNGA 2021 ”, he added.
Del Rosario also welcomed Duterte’s statement thanking other nations that have backed the Philippines’ claims over the hotly contested waters.
Recently, the UK, France and Germany rejected China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea through a joint note verbale sent to the UN.
Del Rosario has repeatedly urged Duterte to elevate the arbitral tribunal’s ruling in favor of the Philippines and gain the support of members of the United Nations.
But Chancellor Teodoro Locsin Jr. had rejected this proposal, saying it “does not make any sense” and that doing so only returns to litigate something that the country has already won.
“We hope that this will put an end to bringing the arbitration award to the UNGA is to restart the case. All Filipinos should come together now for the world to help our country and before the arbitration award against China, “said Del Rosario.
“Let’s not let this opportunity go to waste. We thank you deeply, President, for defending what is ours, “he continued.
Del Rosario pointed out that the government should “work more seriously to obtain the support of more countries so that the arbitration award is lifted next year for the UNGA 2021”.
China has consistently refused to acknowledge the 2016 ruling by the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated its claim across the South China Sea.
Its recovery and militarization activities in the heavily contested area have also raised concerns about peace and stability in the area.
EDV
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