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HINDI mawawala ang tensyon sa West Philippine Sea hangga’t hindi tumatalima ang China sa 2016 ruling ng arbitral tribunal kaugnay ng pag-angkin sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Since the 2016 ruling, China has ignored the decision, continuing to assert unlawful and expansive maritime claims and taking increasingly aggressive actions against its neighbors,” saad sa isang pahayag ng US State Department.
Para sa US State Department, isang hayagang pagsaling sa soberanya ng Pilipinas at iba pang bansang miyembro ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ang tinawag na “expansive claims” ng China.
“The act in itself directly infringe on the sovereign rights and jurisdictions” wika ng US State Department.
Una nang hinimok ni Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez ang mga Pilipino na magkaisa at patuloy na ipagtanggol ang soberanya ng Pilipinas at manatiling Pilipino sa salita, sa gawa at tungkulin.
“The arbitral award reaffirms what we’ve always known in our hearts — the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Filipino people. Not because we are the strongest, but because it is rightfully ours under international law,” pahayag ni Romualdez.
“This was a victory of principle over power, of law over intimidation. And it reminds us of what we can achieve when we stand as one people, bound by patriotism and a deep love for the country,” aniya pa.
Hulyo 12, 2016 nang ibinasura ng Permanent Court of Arbitration ang pag-angkin ng China sa buong South China Sea. Nakasaad din sa naturang desisyon ang pagpapatibay sa karapatan ng Pilipinas sa WPS sa ilalim ng United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
