Philippines won’t sacrifice sea feud victory in China talks

The president, during a testimonial dinner hosted by the San Beda College, reiterated that war was not an option and he wanted to pursue peaceful solutions to the maritime disputes with China like bilateral talks.

The new Philippine government headed by President Rodrigo Duterte is positive about resuming talks with China.

While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea gives coastal states the right to decide whether to jointly develop their areas with foreigners, Carpio said this can not be applied to the Philippines.

The U.N.-backed tribunal ruled against China this week but Beijing rejected the decision, warning of a “decisive response” to provocative actions against its security interests based on the verdict.

It said that “Singapore values our long-standing and friendly relations with all parties, bilaterally and in the context of Asean” and that “we urge all parties to fully respect legal and diplomatic processes, exercise self-restraint and avoid conducting any activities that may raise tensions in the region”.

Croatia and Slovenia have their own maritime dispute and are anxious about setting precedents by coming out too strongly in favour or against the court in The Hague that ruled on the South China Sea case, the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

He said the tribunal made a “very bad decision”, for procedural reasons, to keep the case before it, and that the award is a “huge mistake”, and should be “criticized severely”.

The Philippines filed the legal challenge against China in 2013 under Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino.

Criticising the US’ Asia pivot and rebalance strategies, he said despite differences the countries in the region can manage their efforts and maintain peace in the region and ensure the region becomes an engine of stable economic growth.

Philippine Judge Raul Pangalangan of the International Criminal Court, left, Lawrence Martin, second left, counsel for the Philippines in Philippines versus China Arbitration, Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice…

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Thursday asserted the position that Okinotorishima is an island under global law and consequently entitled to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Calida later told reporters that “the baseline for any negotiation should be the decision”, adding “we will not concede any awards given to us”.

Kyodo news reported that the Chinese coast guard barred Filipino fishermen from entering Scarborough Shoal on July 14, despite the PCA’s ruling.

“Even the Philippine government was surprised with the ruling”, said Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra. However, he said Washington would not ignore developments in the area.