PHL to China: “Countries should be judged by their actions, not by their words”

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): PHL to China: “Countries should be judged by their actions, not by their words”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario on Friday rebuffed Chinese allegations that the Philippines is raising tensions in the South China Sea when it decided to seek international arbitration to rule on their territorial disputes.

Del Rosario said it was never the country’s intention to exacerbate tensions in the area since arbitration “is a peaceful, friendly and a durable settlement mechanism under international law.”

“With the submission of the Philippine memorial and with the support of the Filipino people, we are defending what is legitimately and rightfully ours,” Del Rosario said in reference to the 4,000-page document containing a package of legal evidence that will bolster the country’s case against China. It was filed before the The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration on March 30 – a move that has angered China.

China rejected the Philippine case and said it will not participate in the legal proceedings, which got the support of many Western and Asian governments.

“By going to arbitration, the Philippines has signaled its fidelity to international law,” Del Rosario said, adding the Philippines can not divulge the content of its memorial since this matter is “sub judice” or is subject to discussion by the tribunal.

China insists on continuing bilateral dialogue with the Philippines in resolving their disputes but Manila said it is impossible to do this due to Beijing’s position of “indisputable” claim over the entire waters.

Manila also complained that despite years of dialogue with China and other claimants, Chinese incursions in Philippine territories have persisted.

China claims the South China Sea nearly in its entirety but Manila only claims parts that fall within its exclusive economic zone as mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Areas within Philippine waters have been renamed to West Philippine Sea to stress the country’s sovereignty over them.

Amid lingering tensions in the area, Del Rosario stressed the Philippines “will continue to exercise self-restraint and will not raise tension in the South China Sea.”

“The Philippines is not the country that has greatly increased its naval and maritime presence in the South China Sea. Nor has it challenged freedom of navigation.

Nor has it blockaded nor forcefully intimidated any other country in the South China Sea,” Del Rosario said.Several incidents of Chinese harassment against Filipino fishermen and naval vessels bringing supplies and fresh troops to Philippine- occupied Ayungin Shoal was reported last month.

Philippine officials say Ayungin is part of the country’s continental shelf. A grounded Philippine vessel in the rocky outcrop is home to about a dozen Philippine marines and navy personnel and has been a symbol of the country’s sovereignty over it.

“Countries should be judged by their actions, not by their words,” Del Rosario said.

China’s massive claim also overlaps with the territories of its other neighbors like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The Philippines said China’s claim is “excessive” and a “gross violation of international law.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=632558