MANILA – The complaint filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Chinese President Xi Jinping shows that the Philippines can stand against China, Vice President Leni Robredo said.
The case filed by the former Foreign secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales brings hope for the Philippines, Robredeo said in a statement.
“Natuwa ako noong nakita ko iyong ginawa, kasi parang dumating kasi tayo sa punto na parang nawawalan tayo ng pag-asa – sinasakop tayo nang sinasakop, tapos nawawalan tayo ng pag-asa, na wala tayong magagawa,” added Robredo.
“At least ito (filing), mayroong mga naglakas ng loob na i-bring to the attention of authorities iyong pagsabi na mali na ba talaga iyong ginagawa o hindi,” the Vice President said.
Robredo also said the filing of the complaint was a must as the Philippines’ sovereign right in the South China Sea was recognized by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in July 2016.
“Parang dinugtungan ulit iyong pag-asa sa ating mga puso, na mayroon pa naman pala tayong lakas na labanan iyong isang malaking entity kagaya ng China,” Robredo said.
Del Rosario and Carpio-Morales filed a suit against Xi and other Chinese officials before the ICC earlier this month due to China’s activities to gain control over most parts of the sea.
Del Rosario and Morales said in a press conference that they are hoping for the arrest of the Chinese officials, whom they said caused significant problems in the sea with the filing of the suit.
The communication at the ICC was filed March 15, two days before the withdrawal took effect. The complainants stressed that the ICC can prosecute China because the Philippines was a state party when the supposed crimes were committed./PN
