MANILA – China will not recognize the United Nations’ Permanent Court of Arbitration victory of the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea, Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.
In a television interview Monday, Locsin said this was the reason the administration is not imposing on China the arbitral tribunal victory of the Philippines on the disputed waters.
“No, China won’t respect it. They said we did not take part in that agreement and who am I – who are we – to impose that upon them? The point is it is now a part of international law,” Locsin told ANC.
“The arbitral ruling is not so much against China, is not so much in favor of the Philippines, as it was in favor of international law. There was confusion in what are maritime features and they (UN) clarified it,” he added.
“Perhaps, one day, China, too, has maritime features and they will use that. It’s not a question of one won the other laws, and that’s it. It’s now part of international law,” he said.
This was also the reason the Philippines was proceeding with a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on oil and gas development at the disputed waters even without imposing the arbitral win.
“What would be the point of saying that? Remember, on the other side they’re also lawyers like we’re lawyers on this side. Why would you even bring that up?” the DFA secretary said.
“This is a cooperation agreement for exploration. Now, the notion that came out that there is only need for technical assistance, no we don’t. We also need money to explore,” he added.
The Hague-based UN Arbitral Tribunal in 2016 ruled that the Philippines had exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and that China’s “nine-dash line” was invalid./PN
