PCA ruling won’t break friendship

The Philippines will continue to advance friendship with China as this disagreement is not the sum-total of our relationship

The Philippines and China can “agree to disagree” on the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Tuesday.

For this, the Palace claimed it was no longer surprised by China’s rejection of the Philippines’ call for compliance to the 2016

arbitration ruling that nullified its claim over the disputed waters and some tiny islands being claimed by neighboring Southeast Asian countries

“There will be disagreements with China with regard to that arbitral award. We have been saying that China is a party to UNCLOS where there is a mandatory dispute resolution which we used. It resulted in the Philippines getting the award,” Roque said.

China did not take part in the deliberations on the case which questioned the legality of its nine-dash line.

He, however, reiterated that the Philippines will continue to advance friendship with China as “this disagreement is not the sum-total of our relationship.”

The Philippines sought arbitration from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2013. China did not take part in the deliberations on the case which questioned the legality of its nine-dash line.

On 12 July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favor of the Philippines.

The Philippines sought arbitration from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 2013.

On Tuesday, the United States aired its support to the Philippines and the other SEA Games countries with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling China’s claims over offshore resources as “unlawful.”

Pompeo even cited the PCA’s decision for reference.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, supported Pompeo’s statement.

“We urge China to comply with the PCA ruling and abide by the UNCLOS to which it is a signatory,” Lorenzana said.

He, however, said the Philippines will take the diplomatic route towards its resolution.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, urged the government to stand against political intimidation and fight for territories which are “legally ours.”

Last Sunday was the fourth anniversary of the PCA decision.

PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMMIE DINGDING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_yumi PrioritycheckEssential workers were the first to get tested during the opening of the local government of Taguig City’s own drive-through testing center.