Ruling on West PH Sea 'singles out no one'

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In this undated handout photo received from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on April 25, 2021, coast
guard personnel conduct maritime exercise near Thitu island in the disputed South China Sea. AFP
PHOTO / PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

Updated at 12:20 Oct. 29, 2021

THE arbitral ruling that nullified China's expansive claims in the South China
Sea singles out no one, President Rodrigo Duterte said as he reiterated his call
for peace and stability in the disputed waters.

During his intervention at the 24th summit between the Association of

Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China, Duterte noted the Philippines'
contribution to international law after securing a victory in the arbitration
case against China, saying such ruling gives "clarity" to all nations that have
claims over the South China Sea.

  
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 https://www.manilatimes.net
"The 2016 Arbitral Award is a significant contribution to the corpus of
international law, particularly the 1982 Unclos (United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea). It singles out no one," he said.

'Asean unity key to maritime stability'

"Rather, it justly favors and benefits the community of law-abiding nations

by providing clarity to all. This clarity — which is beyond compromise — is
the Philippines' humble contribution to the international legal order," he
added.

Beijing continues to reject the landmark ruling of the arbitral tribunal in The
Hague, which recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights in areas within its
200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

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Duterte said the country will continue to resolve sea disputes peacefully — a
position he has kept during his administration to keep peace with China.
"A rules-based order is the linchpin of regional peace and stability. The
peaceful resolution of disputes is a necessary and indispensable pillar of any
order anchored on the majesty of the law," he said.

Asean and its South China Sea dilemma

Apart from the Philippines and China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei
and Taiwan also have their own territorial claims in the South China Sea, a
strategic waterway for trade that is also believed to be rich in oil and gas
deposits.

The President reminded Asean and China to uphold the "full and effective"
implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct (DoC) of Parties in
the South China Sea.

The DoC, inked on Nov. 4, 2002, aims to exercise self-restraint and promote
non-militarization within the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Duterte acknowledged the role of the United States, which he had

previously criticized for hitting some of his policies, in ensuring order in the
South China Sea.


 Duterte: Stay united to keep peace,  stability in South China Sea

"I thank the United States for its strong support for the 2016 Arbitral Award.
This landmark decision serves as a foundation for a rules-based order in the
South China Sea," he said.

Without specifying any country or territory, Duterte urged "all stakeholders"

to "exercise self-restraint to avoid untoward incidents that may further
complicate the situation" in the disputed waters.