Manila should speak up and take action over its claims in the West Philippines Sea after some European states at the United Nations expressed their support for the 2016 arbitral victory against Beijing, a former envoy said.
Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday, former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja said the support from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom provides a good opportunity.
“’Yung pronouncement ng UK, France and Germany on the West Philippine Sea is a positive development for the Philippines,” Baja said.
“On that basis, dapat tayong umaksyon, dapat tayong umimik,” he said.
In a note verbale filed by the permanent mission of the UK before the UN in New Yourk, the European states referred to the arbitral ruling in 2016 which upheld the Philippines’ claims based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.