Palace: PHL gov’t to pursue arbitration case vs China; maintains rules-based approach to territorial dispute

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23): Palace: PHL gov’t to pursue arbitration case vs China; maintains rules-based approach to territorial dispute

Malacanang on Thursday renewed the Philippine government’s determination to pursue arbitration case against China, as it maintained rules-based approach in dealing with the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) issue.

“Nasa kanilang (China) pagpapasya ang nais nilang gawin at nasa atin din naman 'yung determinasyon na itaguyod 'yung pagiging makatwiran ng ating posisyon,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a Palace press briefing amid China’s call for the country to withdraw the arbitration case.

Coloma said the government is maintaining rules-based approach and peaceful resolution of maritime entitlement issues in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

He noted the Philippines hopes for a ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration to provide substance to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) where the country is a signatory.

The Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration is hearing the case filed by the Philippines against China.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=785621