PH to assert arbitral award, unfazed by China’s ‘piece of waste paper’ remark

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the West Philippine Sea, and vowed to assert its sovereign rights as China called the decision “nothing but a piece of waste paper.”

In a response to Beijing’s continuing rejection of the award, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the landmark ruling remains a cornerstone of the country’s maritime policy.

“The Philippines will always be very strong in our position on the arbitral award,” Lazaro said in her first press conference on Monday, July 11.

“What has been started by former presidents and Foreign Secretary Manalo, I will be continuing. The president has already made clear his position, and as the architect of our foreign policy, his mandate is to uphold that award,” she added.

Lazaro outlined a four-point strategy reflecting the Philippine position: continued adherence to international law, open communication lines with China, enhanced partnerships through alliances and multilateral mechanisms, and a stronger role for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in supporting the capacity-building of defense and security institutions.

The statement came in the wake of China’s sharp remarks on Saturday, when a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed the July 12, 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration as “illegal, null, and void.”

The ruling invalidated China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim over much of the sea and upheld Philippine maritime entitlements within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China said the ruling was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines in violation of bilateral agreements and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

“The ‘award’ is fundamentally flawed with obvious mistakes. We urge relevant countries to stop making reference to this illegal ‘award,’ and to refrain from any acts of infringement or provocation,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

“The “award” is nothing but a piece of waste paper that is illegal, null and void, and non-binding,” it added.