Arbitral award anchor of PH policy, actions in WPS: DFA chief

In a statement, Manalo said the arbitral award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are the “twin anchors” of the Philippines’ policy and actions in the disputed islands. (File photo by Lawrence Ruiz – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The landmark 2016 ruling on the South China Sea is the anchor of the Philippines’ policy and actions on the West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said as the country celebrates the 6th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)-issued award Tuesday.

In a statement, Manalo said the arbitral award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are the “twin anchors” of the Philippines’ policy and actions in the disputed islands.

“These two landmark documents, whose 6th (Award) and 40th (UNCLOS) anniversary we are commemorating this year, set out the conditions to ensure a peaceful South China Sea,” he said.

The award was issued by the Hague-based PCA on July 12, 2016, and “authoritatively ruled” that China’s claim of historic rights to resources within the nine-dash line had no basis in law.

Further, it upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Manalo said it also affirmed that “certain actions within the Philippines’ EEZ” violated the country’s sovereign rights; that large-scale reclamation and construction of artificial islands caused severe environmental harm in violation of international conventions; that the large-scale harvesting of endangered marine species damaged the marine ecosystem; and that actions taken since the commencement of the arbitration had aggravated the disputes.

“These findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable,” he said.

“The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories. At the same time, we welcome the support of a growing list of countries for the Award,” he added.

The Filipino diplomat, meanwhile, emphasized that the Philippines does not see it as directed at any other country as it benefits the world across the board.

“We see it as it should be seen: as favoring all which are similarly situated by clarifying definitively a legal situation beyond the reach of arms to change. It puts this aspect of international law beyond the limit of prescription,” he said. “And so we say once again: the present that we need and the future that we want is a peaceful South China Sea. The Philippines is committed to this for as long as it exists.”