(Eagle News) – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that the ruling of the United Nations Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the West Philippine Sea dispute has only resolved issues involving the seas, not land.
In a press briefing in Palawan on Wednesday, March 7, the Palace spokesperson said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s position is that the tribunal has particularly established that “China cannot claim any of the waters of the West Philippine Sea on the basis of historic title or on the basis of the nine-dash line; (and) that Scarborough and the area where China has built artificial islands are part and parcel of Philippine exclusive economic zone.”
He said that as far as land disputes were concerned, then, the country still has “unresolved controversy” with China.
“…That is why we still have to refer to it as the ‘disputed islands’ of the West Philippine Sea because that was not the subject of any ruling on the part of the UN Tribunal for the Law of the Sea,” the spokesperson said.
According to Roque, President Duterte has for the time being pursued friendly relations with China, in contrast to the antagonistic position taken by his predecessors “because these conflicting claims to land territory will have to be resolved obviously through negotiation and diplomatic relations.”
“On matters which are controverted, including land territory and still disputed maritime territories under the definition in international law that there (are) still pending disagreements on issues of facts and law, then the Philippines will proceed on the basis of bilateral relations with China,” he said.
Roque, however, reiterated that President Duterte was firm in his stand that he “considers the West Philippine Sea and all the islands that we are currently occupying and laying claim to as part of the province of Palawan” and Scarborough Shoal as part of Zambales province.
“The President has said that he will not surrender any inch, even a single inch of Philippine territory to any foreigner…(he) has been consistent that he will die for Philippine territory but meanwhile, he will not sacrifice even a single life for an issue that can be resolved on the the basis of friendly relations,” he said.
He said that the government “will proceed full speed ahead” on matters which are not controversial such as trade and investments.
“We appeal to the critics, we have to be united on this issue. Please do not claim to have a monopoly of upholding the national interest,” Roque added.
