PH asserts 2016 arbitral ruling during forum hosted by Chinese think tank
The forum, which gathered legal scholars, policy experts, and regional analysts, was predominantly critical of the arbitral ruling and the Philippines' actions in the disputed waters.
In a press statement, the embassy said the Philippine delegation used the opportunity to assert the ruling's legal weight and continuing relevance under international law.
'The Award, along with its annexes, proves the validity and legality of Philippine claims, and they are available for everyone to study and read,' the Embassy's representative said during a plenary intervention.
The ruling, handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea—particularly those within the so-called 'nine-dash line'—and affirmed that such claims had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Responding to accusations made during the forum that the Philippines was acting as a "troublemaker" in the region, the Philippine representative pushed back firmly, emphasizing Manila's commitment to diplomacy and constructive engagement.
'We disagree with the notion that the Philippines is not willing to engage with China. In fact, even with the Arbitral Award, the Philippines has continued to make efforts to keep lines of communication open, maintain proper dialogue, and engage positively with China as well as other claimant States, both bilaterally and regionally, within the context of our legally settled claims in accordance with UNCLOS and international law,' the official said.
The Embassy added: 'We hope China's actions demonstrate genuine willingness to engage and to produce constructive and positive outcomes.'
The forum took place amid heightened regional tensions and increasing international attention on the South China Sea.
This year marks the ninth year since the 2016 ruling, which has been backed by several countries including the United States, Japan, Australia, and members of the European Union. However, China has repeatedly rejected the ruling, continuing to assert its expansive maritime claims and build artificial islands and outposts in contested areas.
On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it monitored two vessels of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA) of China in the waters off Occidental Mindoro.
Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippinesover China's claims in the South China Sea, but the latter refused to recognize the decision. —Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Hong Kong opens probe into AI-generated porn scandal at university
HONG KONG — Hong Kong's privacy watchdog said Tuesday it has launched a criminal investigation into an AI-generated porn scandal at the city's oldest university, after a student was accused of creating lewd images of his female classmates and teachers. Three people alleged over the weekend that a University of Hong Kong (HKU) law student fabricated pornographic images of at least 20 women using artificial intelligence, in what is the first high-profile case of its kind in the Chinese financial hub. The university sparked outrage over a perceived lenient punishment after it said Saturday it had only sent a warning letter to the student and demanded he apologize. But Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said Tuesday that disclosing someone else's personal data without consent, and with an intent to cause harm, could be an offence. The watchdog "has begun a criminal investigation into the incident and has no further comment at this stage", it said, without mentioning the student. The accusers said in a statement Saturday that Hong Kong law only criminalizes the distribution of "intimate images," including those created with AI, but not the generation of them. There is no allegation so far that the student spread the deepfake images, and so "victims are unable to seek punishment... through Hong Kong's criminal justice system," they wrote. The accusers said a friend discovered the images on the student's laptop. Experts warn the alleged use of AI in the scandal may be the tip of a "very large iceberg" surrounding non-consensual imagery. "The HKU case shows clearly that anyone could be a perpetrator, no space is 100 percent safe," Annie Chan, a former associate professor at Hong Kong's Lingnan University, told AFP. Women's rights advocates said Hong Kong was "lagging behind" in terms of legal protections. "Some people who seek our help feel wronged, because they never took those photos," said Doris Chong, executive director at the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women, referring to cases at the group's crisis center. "The AI generations are so life-like that their circulation would be very upsetting." Asked about the case at a Tuesday press briefing, Hong Kong leader John Lee said most of the city's laws "are applicable to activities on the internet." HKU said on Saturday it will review the case and take further action if appropriate. — Agence France-Presse
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
Palace says Marcos to continue asserting PH rights in WPS
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will continue to assert the Philippines' sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Tuesday. She was asked to comment on the Chinese Foreign Ministry refusing to recognize the arbitral ruling, which invalidated China's massive territorial claims in the South China Sea. To recall, it was on July 12 that Manila commemorated the ninth year of the said ruling, favoring the country over Beijing. ''Parang nadinig na po natin iyan noong nakaraan pa, na ang sinasabing arbitral award ay isang papel na dapat lamang ibasura. Hindi po ganyan ang paningin at pananaw ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Nagsalita na po si Secretary Tess Lazaro, nagsalita na rin si Secretary Gibo Teodoro pati na po si Secretary Año,'' Castro said in a briefing. (It seems like we have heard that before, that the so-called arbitral award is a piece of paper that should just be thrown away. That is not the vision and perspective of the current administration. Secretary Tess Lazaro has already spoken, Secretary Gibo Teodoro has also spoken, and Secretary Año.) ''Isang tagumpay po na mapaalam sa buong mundo kung no ang pinaglalaban natin at kung ano ang para sa Pilipinas at para sa taumbayan. Muli, ang Pangulo, hindi isusuko ang soberanya, ang karapatan ng bansa at ng taumbayan kahit kanino pa man,'' she added. (It is a victory to let the whole world know what we are fighting for and what is for the Philippines and the people. Once again, the President will not surrender the sovereignty, the rights of the country and the people to anyone.) The Philippines has said the nine-year-old arbitral ruling served as a guide in peaceful resolution of maritime territorial disputes. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is ''an illuminating precedent for States facing similarly challenging circumstances in the seas, and the clearest of reminders to the international community that the rule of law can be the great equalizer between and among nations, and serve as the bedrock of peace and stability for the international community.'' On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague, Netherlands issued a ruling on the case filed by the Philippines in January 2013. The case hinges on the legal status of reefs, rocks and artificial islands in the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Island group. Manila's 15-point case critically asked the tribunal to rule on the status of China's so-called "nine-dash line", a boundary that is the basis for its 69-year-old claim to roughly 85% of the South China Sea. The Arbitral court ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China's 'nine-dash line' claim, which virtually covers the entire South China Sea. China has since ignored the ruling and continues its aggression in the region. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
Go, Bato, Padilla seek for Rodrigo Duterte's house arrest in The Hague
Senators Robin Padilla, Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, and Bong Go have filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to push for the interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the form of a house arrest arrangement in a residence in The Hague, Netherlands. In the resolution, Duterte's allies pointed out that the former president's health is 'in danger of deteriorating further,' considering his old age, various medical conditions, and social isolation from loved ones. '[E]ven if the Philippines has already withdrawn from the Rome Statute, the Philippines is not precluded from advocating, in good conscience of the State, for more humane conditions for FPRRD, while he bravely faces the allegations against him,' the resolution read. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also filed a Senate resolution earlier urging the Philippine government to push for the interim release of Duterte before the ICC, and enter into an agreement to have him placed under house arrest at the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands. Malacañang, meanwhile, said that Cayetano's call was 'noted.' Vice President Sara Duterte previously said that her father, Rodrigo, has lost a lot of weight since his detention in The Hague, describing him now as 'skin and bones.' She also said that her father has asked that his remains be cremated should he pass away while detained in The Hague. Since March 12, former President Duterte has been in ICC custody and is currently detained at Scheveningen Prison in The Hague for charges of crimes against humanity for the alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration's war on drugs. His lawyers have since insisted that the ICC lacks jurisdiction to try him for the charges he is facing and are seeking his release to an undisclosed country. Amid these, they have been reviewing the batches of evidence disclosed by the Office of Prosecution in preparation for the confirmation of charges hearing set for September 23. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
