MANILA, Philippines — Muling ginunita ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang ika-7 anibersaryo ng pag-award sa South China Sea Arbitration, bagay na nagbabalewala sa nine-dash line claim ng Beijing sa buong dagat na nabanggit.
Taong 2016 nang panigan ng Permanent Court of Arbitration ang Pilipinas pagdating sa kaso nito laban sa Tsina. Dito sinabi ng tribunal na nalabag ng Beijing ang sovereign rights ng Maynila sa exclusive economic zone nito.
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"An affirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its dispute settlement mechanisms, the Award definitively settled the status of historic rights maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and declared without legal effect claims that exceed entitlements, geographical, and substantive limits set by UNCLOS," wika ni Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Miyerkules.
"It is now part of international law."
??READ??#DFAStatement: Statement of Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo on the 7th Anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration@SecManalo
— DFA Philippines ???????? (@DFAPHL) July 12, 2023
Also found in this link ???????? https://t.co/a49oiBrKrq#DFAForgingAhead pic.twitter.com/g43tds3qiQ
Ang West Philippine Sea ay ang bahagi ng South China Sea na nasa loob ng 200 nautical miles EEZ ng Pilipinas.
Sa ilalim ng Article 56 ng UNCLOS, sinasabing tanging ang coastal state lang ang may soberanyang karapatang mag-explore at gumamit ng likas-yaman sa loob ng EEZ nito.
Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang presensya at harassment ng Chinese Coast Guard at militia sa West Philippine Sea, bagay na nakaaapekto pa rin sa operasyon ng mga mangingisda, Philippine Coast Guard atbp.
"The Award has since facilitated the plotting of new paths and trajectories, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of our country and our people, firm in the conviction that our rights over our maritime jurisdictions are indisputable," patuloy ni Manalo.
"Just as lighthouses aid vessels in navigating the seas, the Award will continue to illuminate the path for all who strive towards not just the peaceful resoolution of disputes but also the maintenance of a rules-based international order."
"We will continue to translate the positive outcomes of the Award into positive gains for our people to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain, and to promote peace, security and prosperity in the region."
US, EU at Australia sumuporta
Pare-pareho namang nagpakita ng kanilang suporta ang iba't ibang bansa sa anibersaryo ng award, ito sa kabila ng patuloy na incursions ng Tsina.
Martes lang nang himukin ng US Department of State ang Beijing na itigil ang harassment nito ng mga sasakyang pandagat at respetuhin ang kanilang EEZ, lalo na't nakasasagabal daw ito sa karapatang magmanage ng natural resources.
Ganito rin ang sinabi ng European Union habang idinidiing "legally binding" ang arbiral ruling sa The Hague.
"On the 7th anniversary of the SCS arbitral award, Australia reaffirms its support for the decision, which is final and binding on both China and the Philippines," wika naman ni Hae Kyong Yu, ambasaddor ng Australia sa Pilipinas.
"We continue to call for respect for international law, particularly #UNCLOS, for an open, stable & prosperous region."
On the 7th anniversary of the SCS arbitral award, Australia reaffirms its support for the decision, which is final and binding on both China and the Philippines. We continue to call for respect for international law, particularly #UNCLOS, for an open, stable & prosperous region.
— HK Yu PSM (@AusAmbPH) July 11, 2023
'Kawalang aksyon sa panghihimasok'
Nagkasa naman ng protesta sa tabing-dagat ang ilang mangingisda ngayong araw bilang tugon sa ika-pitong taon ng arbitral ruling, ito habang idinidiing kulang ang ginagawa ni Pangulong Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos para pigilan ang Tsina.
"We are frustrated and disappointed by President Marcos’ lack of action in stopping China’s encroachment in our waters," wika ni PAMALAKAYA national chairperson Fernando Hicap.
"Seven years after our historic victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), China’s military facilities remain on the seven artificial islands it built in the Spratlys. Additionally, no less than 50 warships and fishing vessels were recently monitored patrolling in our territory."
Aniya, malaki ang epekto nito sa mga Pilipinong mangingisdang nakararanas ng pagpapaalis o pananakot dahil sa presensya ng Chinese authorities sa sariling pangisdaan.
Nabawasan daw ng 70% ang kita ng mga mangingisda kada fishing trip simula nang tumindi raw ang presensya ng mga nabanggit sa Panatag Shoal (Scarborough) sa Zambales noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
"The Marcos administration should be deeply concerned about the long-term damage this may cause to our local fish production and take immediate steps to support the affected fishers, while also decisively asserting our rights in the West Philippine Sea," panapos ni Hicap.