Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Despite China’s refusal to participate in arbitration proceedings with the Philippines over the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Department of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima believes that the proceedings in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague are important not just for the Southeast Asian region, but also for the rest of the world.
“The rest of the world is watching the developments in this case because the Tribunal has to rule on the nine dash nine claim and [its] basis in international law,” she told CNN Philippines in an exclusive interview.
De Lima was part of a Philippine delegation that went to The Hague last week to attend a jurisdiction hearing set by the PCA’s Arbitral Tribunal. The delegation explained to the court’s five judges that they had the authority to preside over the Philippine’s sea dispute with China.
She also stressed the importance of the case from an environmental perspective.
“[W]e are very much concerned about marine protection. — the environment, the marine environment. We have to preserve [the marine resources].
“[I]f another state like China is encroaching on that [200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone] and is allowed to exploit these rich marine resources which are suppose to be protected also, it raises an issue… [that] the rest of the world must act on.
De Lima is confident that the tribunal will reach a justifiable decision, given its order of a second round of arguments during the hearing.
“There was a second round last Monday (July 13). I’d like to think since they have more questions that were addressed during that second round to our external council, I think that is a good sign,” she said.
