Ed William P.

Sennido
ABM - A

Spratlys: Our property

People, in nature, are territorial beings. We tend to find shelters and habitats that benefit
us the most and this hasnt changed through the course of time. And in those years, other beings
also yearn for the place we have, taking it by any means necessary, leading to brawls, fights and
eventually wars. Things have not changed and in our present time there is another issue
presented before us: the dispute between China regarding the Spratlys Group of Islands.
The Spratlys group of islands are located at the west Philippine Sea (Known also as
South China Sea). The area contains rich amounts of natural resources that will benefit any
country who owns it, leading to the issue between the two parties.
China claims by far the largest portion of territory - an area defined by the "nine-dash
line", which stretches hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of
Hainan. Beijing says its right to the area goes back centuries to when the Paracel and Spratly
island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation, and in 1947, it issued a map
detailing its claims. It showed the two island groups falling entirely within its territory. Those
claims are mirrored by Taiwan.
However, critics say China has not clarified its claims sufficientlyand that the nine-dash line
that appears on Chinese maps encompassing almost the entirety of the South China Sea includes
no coordinates.
The Philippines however have stated that according to UNCLOS, the Philippines has a
200 nautical mile territory across the seas, and the Spratlys are definitely in that area. Since the
laws of the present are the ones being upheld today, it should be clear that the Philippines own
this island.
I confidently support the Philippines regarding this matter. We human beings believe in
the statement first come first serve up until now, and we also have the support from the law.
Doing this not only benefits us as a country, but we can also show the world that we, the people
from a small country, can truly fight for what is rightfully ours.