PH to proceed with UN arbitration even without China

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday reiterated that it would proceed with arbitration procedures on the disputed areas of the South China Sea with or without China.

However, DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said it wants China, as much as possible, to join the arbitration.

“To this end, we reiterate our invitation to China to join us in arbitration as we intend to proceed with or without China for a final disposition,” Hernandez said in a text message to media.

It followed the Chinese foreign ministry’s statement that it wants to meet the Philippines “halfway.”

Hernandez also pointed out that the Hainan provincial government’s new fishing policy is only one of the several measures imposed by China on other countries.

“Hainan fisheries law is only one of the unilateral measures by China to force a change in the regional status quo in order to advance its 9-dash line position of undisputed  sovereignty over nearly the entire [South China Sea],” Hernandez said in a text message.

He said the 9-dash line claim is a “gross violation of international law” that should be “fully addressed.”

“In 2011, we had proposed to China that we should proceed with moving forward with our major bilateral agenda while abstracting the contentious issues and dealing with them separately. This became the content of a signed declaration between the Philippines and China’s presidents then. We are hopeful for adherence to that agreement,” he added.

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