MANILA – Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has dared China to put its sovereignty claim over in the South China Sea to international arbitration.
According to Teodoro, if China is really confident of their claim on the contested waters, it is better to bring it to the proper forum so it will be clear to everyone what right does one have over the matter.
“Kung talagang gusto nila, kung talaga siguro hindi sila natatakot na ihayag sa buong mundo ang kanilang claim, bakit hindi tayo mag-arbitrate sa ilalim ng international law?” Teodoro said.
“Para maliwanag sa lahat kung ano ang karapatan ng kahit sino. Bakit ayaw nila? Bakit kayo nananakot? Ano gusto nyo, tumihaya na lang kami? Tapos sasabihin nyo we want peace?” he added.
Teodoro’s statement came after the Chinese Coast Guard unloaded a water cannon attack at the Philippine vessels over at the Ayungin Shoal last Saturday.
After the incident, CCG spokesperson Gan Yu has warned the Philippines to “be prepared to bear all potential consequences” of its actions in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy following the CCG dangerous maneuver against a Philippine vessel on a recent rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
According to DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, they wanted to “convey the Philippines’ strong protest against the aggressive actions” committed by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia.
Daza added that the Philippine Embassy in Beijing has also been instructed to lodge the same demarche with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In these demarches, the Philippines stressed, among others, that China has no right to be in Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS and as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Daza said.
“China’s continued interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable. It infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” she added.
The DFA also noted in their summon that the Philippines is demanding that the Chinese vessels to leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and the Philippines exclusive economic zone immediately.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping its claims with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
Beijing continues to ignore a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims and upheld Philippine sovereignty over its EEZ./PN
