DFA press release on arbitral proceedings on Spratlys, Bajo de Masinloc
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Transcript of DFA press release on arbitral proceedings on Spratlys, Bajo de Masinloc
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7/29/2019 DFA press release on arbitral proceedings on Spratlys, Bajo de Masinloc
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DFA PRESS STATEMENT
22 January 2013, 1400H
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALBERT DEL ROSARIO
ON THE UNCLOS ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST CHINA TO ACHIEVE APEACEFUL AND DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE DISPUTE IN THE WPS
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 before an
Arbitral Tribunal under Article 287 and Annex VII of the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in order to achieve a peaceful and
durable solution to the dispute over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
At around one oclock this afternoon, the Chinese Ambassador to the
Philippines H.E. Ma Keqing was summoned to the Department of Foreign Affairs and
was handed a Note Verbale by Assistant Secretary Teresa Lazaro. The Note
Verbale contains the Notification and Statement of Claim that challenges before the
Arbitral Tribunal the validity of Chinas nine-dash line claim to almost the entire South
China Sea (SCS) including the WPS and to desist from unlawful activities that violate
the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines under the 1982 UNCLOS.
I furnish you with a copy of the Note Verbale with the Notification and
Statement of Claim.
This Notification initiates the arbitral proceedings under Article 287 and Annex
VII of UNCLOS.
The initiation of Arbitral Proceedings against China on the nine-dash line is an
operationalization of President Aquinos policy for a peaceful and rules-based
resolution of disputes in the WPS in accordance with international law specificallyUNCLOS.
The Philippines has exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for
a peaceful negotiated settlement of its maritime dispute with China. On numerous
occasions, dating back to 1995, the Philippines has been exchanging views with
China to peacefully settle these disputes. To this day, a solution is still elusive. We
hope that the Arbitral Proceedings shall bring this dispute to a durable solution.
Our legal position before this UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal is explained in this
carefully crafted Notification and Statement of Claim. I invite the media to study
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closely the legal document we have given you so as to accurately report on the
Philippine legal position.
Allow me, however, to highlight some salient points in the Notification and
Statement of Claim:
1. The Philippines asserts that Chinas so-called nine-dash line claim that
encompasses virtually the entire South China Sea/West Philippine Sea is
contrary to UNCLOS and thus unlawful.
2. Within the maritime area encompassed by the 9-dash line, China has also laid
claim to, occupied and built structures on certain submerged banks, reefs and
low tide elevations that do not qualify as islands under UNCLOS, but are parts
of the Philippine continental shelf, or the international seabed. In addition,
China has occupied certain small, uninhabitable coral projections that are
barely above water at high tide, and which are rocks under Article 121 (3) ofUNCLOS.
3. China has interfered with the lawful exercise by the Philippines of its rights
within its legitimate maritime zones, as well as to the aforementioned features
and their surrounding waters.
4. The Philippines is conscious of Chinas Declaration of August 25, 2008 under
Article 298 of UNCLOS (regarding optional exceptions to the compulsory
proceedings), and has avoided raising subjects or making claims that China
has, by virtue of that Declaration, excluded from arbitral jurisdiction.
In this context, the Philippines is requesting the Arbitral Tribunal to issue an
Award that, among others:
- Declares that Chinas rights in regard to maritime areas in the South China
Sea, like the rights of the Philippines, are those that are established by
UNCLOS, and consist of its rights to a Territorial Sea and Contiguous
Zone under Part II of UNCLOS, to an EEZ under Part V, and to a
Continental Shelf under Part VI;
- Declares that Chinas maritime claims in the SCS based on its so-called
nine-dash line are contrary to UNCLOS and invalid;
- Requires China to bring its domestic legislation into conformity with its
obligations under UNCLOS; and
- Requires that China desist from activities that violate the rights of the
Philippines in its maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea.
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The Philippines asserts that the Arbitral Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear and
make an award based on its Notification and Statement of Claim because the
dispute is about the interpretation and application by States Parties of their
obligations under the UNCLOS. Article 287 (1) of UNCLOS provides that
settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation and application of thisConvention may be referred by the Parties for resolution under Part XV of UNCLOS.
The Philippines further asserts that the claim is well founded in fact and law
based on the Notification and Statement of Claims and supplementary documents
that will be submitted in the course of the arbitral proceedings.
Solicitor General Francis H. Jardeleza is the agent or legal representative for
the Philippines in this Arbitral Proceedings. The lead counsel of the Philippines is
Mr. Paul Reichler of Foley and Hoag LLP.
The Philippines has always asserted that international law including UNCLOSwill be the great equalizer in resolving this dispute over the West Philippine Sea.
While we proceed with the legal track, the Philippines continuous to exert all
efforts to move forward and enhance its relations with China on the basis of mutual
respect.
We strongly believe that this action is the appropriate response to put our
diplomatic relations in its proper context.
We hope that China would join us in this aspiration.
This ends our press briefing, ladies and gentlemen.
We will give you a set of questions with corresponding responses to complete
your information.
We thank you as we understand you have a deadline to meet.