Filing case vs China over West PH Sea conflict ‘likely’ — Bersamin

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said the government will likely file another case against China amid its aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Bersamin said that the government’s lawyers are already studying the option. When asked on the “Tune in Kay Tuning” livestream if the government would file a case against China, Bersamin said this was likely.

“That is always, this is the position that the government will take, most likely. We have always conducted our relations, and foreign policy natin, strictly diplomatically. Wala tayong aggressiveness or aggression or what,” said Bersamin.

“Whether or not we will file another case against China is one of the options, and I think our lawyers are seriously giving this a study. But it might be, most very probably, very probable, but we are not going to say definitely we will,” he added.

However, Bersamin did not specify which court the case will be filed.

“Alam mo may point ang pag-fifile ng kaso. We litigate kahit hindi mag-participate ang China dahil ibig sabihin may resolve ka, mayroon kang determination to exact some accountability on the part of China, and I will be one of those on the side of going against China,” said Bersamin.

(You know, there is a point in filing a case. We litigate even if China does not participate because it means we have resolve, we have the determination to exact some accountability on the part of China, and I will be one of those on the side of going against China.)

Bersamin also doubled down on Marcos’ policy of sovereignty.

“You know that this is an administration that will not lose an inch of Philippine territory or sovereignty. I cannot make a statement about China. Let us say it in general terms. We are out there to defend,” said Bersamin.

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