The most anticipated ruling over the disputed islands in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea) has been decided in favor of the Philippines, according to the decision of the United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal.
After several months of hearing and pleading for the cases of both countries. The tribunal concluded that Philippines is the one who have a rightful claim over the disputed islands and China has no legal basis to prove their status as the owner of the islands.
See Details: South China Sea territory facts
“Having found that certain areas are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, the Tribunal found that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by (a) interfering with Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, (b) constructing artificial islands and (c) failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone,” the tribunal statement said.
The tribunal also reaffirms its condemnation towards any land reclamation projects by the Chinese after concluding that the projects itself cause severe harm towards coral reefs and the preservation of our ecosystem especially endangered species.
China has insisted that they will not honor any decision made by the International Tribunal towards the arbitration case. While the Philippines has been backed by the US, UK, France, Japan and others.
Since the initiation of the arbitrary case China conduct’s massive reclamation projects that alarmed other neighboring Asian countries specifically Vietnam.
DFA Sec. Yasay: Philippines welcomes the issuance of the Awards by the tribunal constituted by the PCA.
