The Department of National Defense on Friday welcomed the ruling of the United Nations arbitration court that assumes the jurisdiction over the case filed by the Philippines against China over the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
“We welcome this development. It’s a good development not only for the Philippines but to all other countries that believe in the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Defense spokesperson Peter Paul Galvez said.
On Thursday, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that it will assume jurisdiction over seven of 15 issues raised by the Philippines against China’s excessive claims in the disputed waterway.
READ: Philippines scores against China in UN arbitration
The Philippines initiated the arbitration case in 2013 after China’s alleged harassments and buildup in the South China Sea.
READ: PH hails Hague court ruling to take up arbitration case vs China
“We’ll see where this it would lead us. We Filipinos should monitor the developments very closely,” Galvez said.
The Philippines’ activities in the disputed seas will continue following the ruling according to the DND spokesperson.
“We will continue what we’re doing before. We will support our troops, our regular activities. We will maintain what we do,” he said.
China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea is based on the nine-dash line, which the Philippines claims to invalidate. IDL