On Monday, an expert urged on the Duterte administration to reaffirm the Philippines’ victory on West Philippine Sea against China 4 years ago which had been “long coming.”
This was after the Department of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Sunday saying the tribunal’s ruling in favor of Manila against Beijing’s sweeping claims in the disputed waters was “non-negotiable.”
Jay Batongbacal of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said that the government needs to be consistent in its position.
“This has been long coming. Ang tagal na talaga nating hinihintay ito… Kahit na huli siya at least nandyan na. Sana mula ngayon talagang panindigan talaga natin itong sinabi natin ngayon. Hindi pwedeng pabalik-balik tayo, para tayong pendulum, para tayong swing, urong-sulong,” he told ABS-CBN News.
[We had long waited for this. Even if it’s late, at least it’s here. I hope from now on, we stick to our current stand. We cannot go back on our word like a pendulum.]
“Patuloy siyang binabalewala ng Tsina, malinaw iyon,” Batongbacal added.
[China continues to ignore the arbitration victory.]
The DFA recently invoked the arbitral win of the Philippines, stating that it “has comprehensively addressed China’s excessive claims and illegal actions in the South China Sea.”
Meanwhile, Chinese marine scientific research activities continue to conduct activities in Philippine waters without necessary clearances.
