This image released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese militia vessel, top, and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra as they approach Second Thomas Shoal, locally called Ayungin Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)
MANILA, Philippines — Filing a case against China after two of its vessels struck Philippine boats in the West Philippine Sea will not be useless, asserted Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Wednesday.
Teodoro said Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla are studying the Philippines’ legal actions, but the government is waiting for the results of the Philippine Coast Guard’s investigation of the incident.
“Ngayon, marami po ang nagsasabi na useless daw dahil unenforceable daw ang mga kaso na ipapataw. (A lot have said that it is useless because you cannot enforce a case that will be filed.). It is not useless because every decision of an impartial international tribunal recognized by international law adds to the basis in the bulk of international law,” said Teodoro at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.
Teodoro said a case would strengthen the Philippines’ claim to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
While Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea is not new, Chinese boats hit two Philippine vessels on a resupply mission in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal last Sunday.
Before this, China Coast Guard vessels used water cannons and military-grade lasers to harass Philippine vessels on separate occasions.