MANILA, Philippines — Two years after a United Nations-backed tribunal handed down its ruling on the arbitration case on the South China Sea, the positions of both the Philippines and China remain "less than acceptable."
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday lamented that the Philippines had set aside the landmark ruling.
"The Philippines had two years to take advantage of its position to develop and obtain the support of many countries whose principles are aligned with our own and with whom our own voice could be magnified. Sadly, however, this was not made to happen," Del Rosario said in a forum organized by independent think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.
Del Rosario, who led the Philippines in its arbitration case against China, stressed that the ruling was also beneficial to other countries relying on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The arbitral ruling was also beneficial to all states determined to maintain peaceful relations by committing to international law.
"In this light, we must as well consider our own country's character since we have once been a reliable advocate for international law," Del Rosario said.
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The Philippines has become "a willing victim" and "an abettor" for its current policy in the disputed waters, he added.
"What may we call one that acquiesces to the abuses against it? Answer: a willing victim," Del Rosario said.
"What may we call one that defends an aggressor at every opportunity? Answer: an abettor," he added.
'China, a grand larcenist'
China, meanwhile, is a “grand larcenist” and “international outlaw” for unlawfully taking the property of others and refusing the rule of law.
Moving forward, Del Rosario noted that the Philippines still has opportunities to promote rule of law, whether through multilateralism with the UN or ASEAN or through bilateral engagements.
“To close, we reiterate our position that coercive diplomacy has no place in a rules-based international order,” Del Rosario said.
He reiterated that Filipinos should urge the government to raise the country’s indignation against China.
“Finally, we need a of our friends in the community of nations who believe in the rule of law to help us. But before we can hope for help, we must first demonstrate that we are worth helping,” he said.
The July 12, 2016 ruling effectively invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.
The Chinese government, however, refused to acknowledge the arbitration and has since installed anti-ship cruise missiles, surface-to-air missile systems and electronic jammers on its outposts in the contested waterway.
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