Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippine government is exhausting diplomatic channels and options in resolving disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea even before any new arbitral case is considered, the top government lawyer said on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra told NewsWatch Plus that the government is not “actively pursuing” another arbitration case against Beijing as recommended by a number of groups and personalities such as former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and former Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza.
“Definitely, that is one of the legal options that is available to us, hindi lang iyan marami tayong kino-consider. Ang mahalaga diyan ay kung ano ang signal na binibigay ng ating president regarding the manner in handling the West Philippine Sea issue,” said Guevarra.
He added that so far, the Marcos administration is committed to resolving issues through diplomatic channels.
“I-explore, i-exhaust ang lahat ng diplomatic, amicable and peaceful ways in settling the problems in West Philippine Sea,” said Guevarra.
He added that the main objective is to de-escalate tensions at sea.
“Ang file ng legal action, I think from the point of view of the president ay baka hindi makatulong sa de-escalation process, yung legal options nariyan pero hindi natin muna sila actively i-pursue,” said Guevarra.
In 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, debunking China’s massive historic claims in the South China Sea.
