AFP says Arbitral Award not up for debate: China's claim over WPS invalid | Global News

AFP says Arbitral Award not up for debate: China’s claim over WPS invalid

/ 02:20 PM October 17, 2023

AFP says Arbitral Award not up for debate, noting China's claim over the West Philippine Sea has been invalidated

Map showing the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea, including the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the 2016 Arbitral Award invalidating the claims of China over the West Philippine Sea is no longer up for debate.

Hence, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said China’s renewed assertion that it owns Pagasa Island, which is located well within the West Philippine Sea, is merely based on what they believe in.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The 2016 arbitral award actually invalidates that claim so I think … it can no longer be subject to a debate,” Aguilar said in an interview with reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

FEATURED STORIES

“What they are saying is according to what they know, what they believe,” he said. “But it is already the arbitral court that says that their claim for territory has no basis at all.”

Beijing recently reiterated its claim over Pag-asa Island as it denounced the Philippines for “illegally occupying” the area.

Article continues after this advertisement

Its latest pronouncement was a response to AFP’s report about People’s Liberation Army-Navy warship’s “dangerous maneuver” against a Philippine Navy ship at 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island.

Article continues after this advertisement

China has been insisting that it owns nearly all of South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, citing its 10-dash line, which used to be nine-dash line.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: DND’s Teodoro scorns China’s ‘propaganda’ on West PH Sea: ‘Katawa-tawa’

In 2013, Manila questioned Beijing’s nine-dash line before the Permanent Court of Arbitration. An Arbitral Award was eventually issued in July 2016, effectively dismissing China’s sweeping demarcation.

kga

AFP says Arbitral Award not up for debate: China’s claim over WPS invalid

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), China, Pagasa Island, Philippines, West Philippine Sea

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.