Palace rejects proposal to take sea row to UN

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday rejected the suggestion of former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario that the Philippines bring before the United Nations General Assembly its arbitral ruling victory against Beijing’s sweeping claim over the South China Sea

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this would be a “futile exercise.”

“Why? Because UN has no enforcement force,” Panelo told reporters.

He also scoffed at the example that Del Rosario cited, which is the case of Nicaragua which had lobbied the United Nations to get the United States to comply with a ruling of the International Court of Justice.

He said nothing happened in that case.

The United States provided Nicaragua with an aid package as an apparent settlement.

Panelo also said President Duterte believed the steps he has been taking to deal with the conflicting claims over the South China Sea were effective.

“There is an impasse but the talks continue and, at the same time, he is negotiating … other areas of concern,” he said.