Monthly Archives: January 2013

US lawmakers back PHL decision to take China disputes to UN arbitration

(Updated 2:40 p.m.) – A visiting US congressional delegation expressed support on Tuesday to the Philippine government’s decision to take long standing territorial disputes with China before a United Nations arbitration body. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta said the five-man US delegation led by Congressman Edward Royce (Republican, California), chairman of the House committee […]

The impossible dream and the West Philippine Sea

by Jay L. Batongbacal  @ http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/20550-the-impossible-dream-and-the-west-philippine-sea Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario’s announcement that the Philippines is initiating UNCLOS Annex VII Arbitration has finally ended the suspense on the announced intentions of the Philippines of taking China to before an international tribunal. But it leaves many unanswered questions.The most obvious question is whether it is […]

China’s plan to develop and fortify an expansive area of the resource-rich but disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) lacks merit under international law

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino has accused China of harassing two Philippine fishing boats in disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) waters, allegedly driving out one that had sheltered from rough seas. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Aquino said the two Scarborough Shoal incidents had led to Manila seeking […]

PNoy says he consulted predecessors on move vs China

President Benigno Aquino III consulted lawmakers and two of his immediate predecessors before the Philippines made the move of dragging China before an international body to settle a territorial dispute. Aquino told reporters covering his visit to Switzerland: “We brought the matter before them [lawmakers and former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada]… Nobody objected […]

Roilo Golez privilege speech supporting West Philippine Sea claim vs China

Cong. Roilo Golez delivered a privilege speech to strongly support this. The Philippines has taken China to a United Nations arbitration tribunal to challenge Beijing’s claim to most of the South China Sea (which the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea) and compel it to respect the Philippines’ right to its exclusive economic […]

Why the Philippines will bring the South China Sea conflict to the UN

By Raissa Robles @ http://raissarobles.com/2013/01/23/why-the-philippines-will-bring-the-south-china-sea-conflict-to-the-un/ The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has just released the following to explain to Filipinos its actions on the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) conflict. To the Philippines, “China is a good friend. Arbitration is a peaceful and amicable process to settle a dispute between and among friends. ” Q […]

PHL takes territorial spat with China to int’l arbitration

Updated 6:27 p.m.) The Philippines has formally notified China that it is bringing their long-standing territorial disputes over parts of the resource-rich South China Sea to international arbitration for a peaceful and internationally-accepted resolution, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Tuesday. Del Rosario said the Philippines handed a note verbale or diplomatic note […]

Statement by the Secretary of DFA on the UNCLOS Arbitral Proceedings against China

Department of Foreign Affairs @ http://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/newsroom/dfa-releases/7300-statement-by-secretary-of-foreign-affairs-albert-del-rosario-on-the-unclos-arbitral-proceedings-against-china-to-achieve-a-peaceful-and-durable-solution-to-the-dispute-in-the-wps PDF download   Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the print and broadcast media. I have the honor to introduce to you the Honorable Solicitor General of the Philippines Francis H. Jardeleza who stands with me here today. This afternoon, the Philippines has taken the step of bringing China […]

Philippines Takes Sea Dispute With China to Tribunal

By RHEA SANDIQUE-CARLOS And JOSEPHINE CUNETA @ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324624404578257621131240336.html MANILA—The Philippines is taking its territorial dispute with China to an international tribunal, raising the stakes in the political standoff among several countries with overlapping claims in the resource-rich South China Sea. “The Philippines has exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement […]