PH eyeing new arbitration case vs China over West PH Sea dispute

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Wednesday said the Office of the Solicitor General is considering the possibility of filing another arbitration case against China amid rising tension in the West Philippine Sea.

Manalo, in an interview on Wednesday, was asked whether or not the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now in the process of filing another arbitration case against China.

“It’s not really the DFA that is looking into this, I know the office of Solicitor General, they are considering these possibilities. They are considering these as options,” said Manalo.

Later into the interview, he said the DFA will support such a move if it ever pushes through.

“Of course, we will support any move [to do so],” said Manalo.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Francis Jardeleza earlier suggested a mechanism for the Philippine government to make China pay for the damage it caused to Filipinos and areas in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Jardeleza said it can only be done once the Philippines files a follow-up arbitration case against China — this time to claim damages.

The suggestion came in light of China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters.

In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s assertions before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.

It ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines in 2016.

Despite this ruling, Chinese maritime assets continue to swarm and assert aggression in the territory.