The Hague arbitral court to rule on sea disputes July 12

Pag-asa Island, part of the disputed Spratly group of islands, in the South China Sea located off the coast of western Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA — The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague has informed the parties on arbitration case on the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea disputes that it will issue a ruling on the arbitration case initiated by the Philippines on July 12 at approximately 11 a.m., The Hague time.

“TheTribunal will issue its Award on Tuesday, 12 July 2016 at approximately 11 AM, CEST, The Hague,” said the press release of the PCA issued on Wednesday at past 11 p.m. Manila time.

The arbitration court said the Award would first be issued via email to the Parties, along with accompanying press release containing the summary of the Award.

“The Press Release will be in English and French, with an unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation provided,” said the court.

The Philippines filed an arbitration case on January 22, 2013, before the PCA to question China’s massive claim of waters in the South China Sea, believed to be rich in oil and gas.

China, on February 19, 2013, refused to be a party to the case. It has maintained over the last three years that it will not abide by the arbitration court’s ruling.  SFM